{
  "id": 16407528,
  "title": "On Bihar drug crisis, opposition chorus: Look beyond prohibition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/on-bihar-drug-crisis-opposition-chorus-look-beyond-prohibition",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T01:15:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-bihar-drug-crisis-opposition-chorus-look-beyond-prohibition-10935554/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the Bihar drug crisis intensifies, opposition parties are demanding action beyond a prohibition policy. RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha has been vocal about flaws in the prohibition system, claiming that it has fostered a nexus involving government officials, law enforcement, ordinary citizens, and even children. Jha warned that Bihar could surpass Punjab in drug problems due to its proximity to Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, where prohibition isn't enforced.\n\nCases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act have surged from 697 in 2019 to 1,905 in the first five months of 2026, while seizures of narcotic tablets have risen sharply from 29,762 in 2022 to 9.29 lakh in January-May 2026. Jan Suraaj leader Kishore Kumar Munna argued that prohibition has merely changed the form of intoxicant consumption, and urged addressing poverty, inadequate employment opportunities, and shortcomings in government schools. Lok Janshakti Party state-vice-chairman Arun Bharti echoed these concerns, linking drug abuse to the state's youth and the need for a concerted effort against addiction.\n\nBJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar Sharma defended the prohibition policy, citing safety for women, improved health, reduced violence against women, and decreased road accidents. However, he acknowledged the need for a two-pronged strategy involving supply disruption and demand reduction. While authorities monitor routes for narcotics and conduct awareness programmes, Sharma emphasized the importance of society's participation in addressing the drug crisis.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Opposition parties demand action beyond prohibition policy",
    "Drug cases surged from 697 in 2019 to 1,905 in 2026's first five months",
    "BJP defends prohibition, emphasizes need for supply disruption and demand reduction"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rising narcotics cases and seizures suggest that current prohibition policies are failing to curb consumption and are instead fostering a complex nexus of corruption across state lines.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}