Assam: Two habitual drug addicts arrested in Bajali

Two individuals arrested while consuming drugs in an abandoned building in Bajali, Assam. The arrested youths, identified as Jayanta Barman and Saddam Ali, were apprehended by local residents who witnessed them consuming drugs.

Reportedly, Jayanta Barman and Saddam Ali have been engaged in drug use for a significant duration. Concerned by their behavior community members took swift action and handed them over to the Bajali police for further investigation.

Upon their arrest, the police recovered several empty containers, suspected to have contained drugs, from the possession of the detained individuals. This discovery further underscores the severity of the drug-related issue in the area.

A month ago, Bajali police apprehended drug users in Bhawanipur. Since then, there has been a decrease in the number of drug users. However, today, the police once again arrested two youths in Bajali for drug-related activities.

Earlier, Four days back police in Nagaon district seized narcotics valued at approximately Rs 80 lakh and arrested two drug peddlers, Anarul Islam and Moinuddin Ahmed, officials reported on Monday.

The seizure and arrests come amid a surge in drug-related cases across Assam. A study released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has highlighted the gravity of the situation, estimating that drug users make up about 2.21 percent of the state's total population, which translates to roughly 7.5 lakh individuals. In contrast, Assam Police's estimates suggest a lower figure, indicating around three lakh drug users statewide.

The apprehension of drug peddlers and the UNODC study shed light on the concerning prevalence of drug abuse in Assam, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to curb the illicit drug trade and address addiction issues in the region.