Published on December 15, 2023
Ahmedabad: Data tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday indicated that Gujarat has
approximately 6.9 lakh persons at the rate of 2.3% prevalence in population who
are addicted to sedatives. With the number, the state was among the top ve in
sedatives addiction in India.
The data was based on the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance
Use in India, indicating the answer by A Narayanaswamy, MoS (social justice and
empowerment) in response to a question by MP C. VE. Shanmugam.
In absolute numbers, Gujarat was behind Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and
almost at par with Andhra Pradesh. The national average of prevalence (per 1
lakh population) was 2%.
The same report indicated that the state has about 7.9 lakh addicts to opioids and
4.8 lakh cannabis addicts. Gujarat has about 1,000 addicts each for cocaine,
amphetamine-based drugs, inhalants, and hallucinogens.
Dr Rajendra Anand, director of Kanoria Deaddiction Centre, said that the number
is an estimate, and it could be higher in the context of many who do not approach
de-addiction specialists. “It is a well-documented phenomenon that many during
and after Covid had difficulty in sleeping, and thus started getting the pills both by
and without medical prescriptions. Sedatives are also very addictive, and it is
possible that many continued taking the pills even when they did not need it,” he
said.
TOI had recently reported a 12% rise in prescriptions for depression, anxiety and
sleep disorders based on a survey of medical bills.
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