Bihar needs to talk about prohibition, addiction

In 2016, months after the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government began its third term in Bihar, the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act came into effect. The political logic behind the law banning and criminalising the consumption of alcohol was plain enough. In his first two terms, Nitish Kumar had built up considerable support among women by addressing what many saw as a broken law-and-order system. Schemes like the Mukhyamantri Cycle Yojana gave women greater mobility and independence. Addiction, in its worst forms, takes a toll not merely on the addict but also on their family and the broader community. Banning alcohol was part of addressing the concerns of women voters. Prohibition, however, is not the silver bullet it was made out to be — its failures are well documented across countries and other Indian states. Now, as an investigation in this newspaper shows, the substance abuse problem in Bihar has taken new forms and has reached alarming proportions. For Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, the first to hold the office from the BJP, the growing use of narcotics is both a policy and political challenge.

The figures for arrests under the National Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, seizures of synthetic drugs, and the growing numbers at the all-too-few de-addiction centres in the state, taken together, paint a disturbing picture. In the first five months of this year, 1,905 cases were registered under the Act. In 2019, this number was 697. “Tablets” seized have also seen an exponential rise — from 29,762 in 2022 to 9.29 lakh in the first five months of this year. These range from opioids and sedatives to psychotropic drugs. Hard, synthetic drugs like heroin, brown sugar and new varieties of these like “kota” follow a similar trajectory. The spread is also geographic. Behind each statistic is a tragedy, tales of families torn apart and a rehabilitation system pushed to the brink. The story of narcotics substance abuse — which often traps the young, particularly young men, in addiction — is unfolding alongside the illegal liquor market. In the 10 years since prohibition was introduced, it has led to an average of 196 arrests a day.

Overall Analysis

The editorial examines the growing problem of substance abuse in Bihar and questions whether alcohol prohibition has been an effective response to addiction. It argues that while the prohibition policy was introduced with social and political objectives, it has not eliminated substance-related harm. Instead, the state is now facing a broader challenge involving narcotics, synthetic drugs, illegal liquor, and an inadequate rehabilitation system. The central argument is that Bihar needs to move beyond prohibition as a political measure and confront addiction as a serious public health and social problem.

The opening paragraph provides the political and social background to Bihar’s prohibition policy. In 2016, the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act came into effect under the Nitish Kumar-led government. The editorial explains that the policy had a clear political rationale: Nitish Kumar had built considerable support among women by addressing concerns related to law and order and by introducing initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Cycle Yojana, which improved women’s mobility and independence. Alcohol consumption, particularly when it leads to addiction and domestic hardship, can have serious consequences for families and communities. Prohibition was therefore presented as a way of responding to women’s concerns and reducing alcohol-related harm.

However, the author challenges the assumption that banning alcohol can solve the problem of addiction. The expression “not the silver bullet it was made out to be” is central to the argument. A silver bullet is a simple, highly effective solution to a difficult problem. By using this metaphor, the writer suggests that prohibition was treated as a comprehensive remedy even though addiction is a complex social and health issue. The editorial also notes that the limitations of prohibition have been documented in other countries and Indian states. The implication is that a policy cannot be judged solely by its stated intentions; its actual outcomes must also be examined.

The paragraph then shifts from the history of prohibition to the present crisis. According to the editorial, substance abuse in Bihar has taken new forms and reached alarming levels. The growing use of narcotics presents a challenge for Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, both in terms of public policy and political responsibility. This transition is significant because it broadens the discussion beyond alcohol consumption. The issue is no longer simply whether alcohol should be legally available; it is whether the state’s overall approach can effectively address addiction and prevent the spread of harmful substances.

The second paragraph supports this concern with statistics. The number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act rose from 697 in 2019 to 1,905 in the first five months of the year discussed in the editorial. The number of seized tablets increased dramatically, from 29,762 in 2022 to 9.29 lakh in the first five months of the current year. The editorial also refers to the growing circulation of opioids, sedatives, psychotropic drugs, heroin, brown sugar, and newer synthetic substances such as “kota”. These figures and examples give the argument an evidence-based foundation and indicate that the problem involves a variety of substances rather than alcohol alone.

The use of statistics serves an important rhetorical purpose. Rather than relying only on general statements about a growing drug problem, the author presents figures that allow readers to understand the reported scale of the issue. The contrast between the earlier and more recent numbers creates a sense of urgency. However, the figures for registered cases and seizures should be understood as indicators of reported enforcement activity; by themselves, they do not establish the exact number of people using drugs or prove the precise rate at which addiction has increased.

The editorial also emphasises that the problem is spreading geographically, suggesting that substance abuse is not confined to a single locality. The phrase “Behind each statistic is a tragedy” shifts the discussion from numerical evidence to human suffering. It reminds readers that drug-related problems affect real people, families, and communities. Addiction can damage relationships, disrupt education and employment, and place enormous pressure on family finances and emotional well-being. The reference to the rehabilitation system being “pushed to the brink” further suggests that existing treatment facilities may be unable to meet the growing demand for care.

Particular attention is given to young people, especially young men, who are often vulnerable to becoming trapped in addiction. This introduces an important social dimension: substance abuse can affect the future prospects of individuals at a formative stage of life. The problem is therefore not limited to law enforcement or public order. It also concerns public health, social stability, family welfare, and the availability of treatment and rehabilitation services.

The closing observation that prohibition has resulted in an average of 196 arrests a day over the decade highlights the scale of enforcement associated with the policy. The juxtaposition of these arrests with the growing narcotics problem raises a fundamental question about the effectiveness of relying heavily on criminalisation. If substance abuse continues to spread despite extensive enforcement, the state may need to reassess whether punishment alone can address the underlying causes of addiction. The editorial does not suggest that illegal drug markets should be ignored; rather, its argument points towards the need for a more comprehensive response that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and public awareness.

The title, “Bihar needs to talk about prohibition, addiction,” signals the need for an open and serious public discussion. The word “talk” implies that the issue must be examined honestly rather than treated only as a political achievement or a law-and-order matter. The editorial moves from the original rationale for prohibition to evidence of the expanding substance-abuse problem and finally to the human consequences of addiction. Its broader message is that prohibition and addiction are related but distinct issues, and an effective policy must address not only the availability of substances but also the reasons people become addicted and the support they need to recover.

2. Important Vocabulary — 5 Words

3. Conclusion & Tone

The editorial argues that Bihar’s prohibition policy has not eliminated substance-related harm and that the growing problem of narcotics requires urgent attention. Rising seizures and registered cases, pressure on de-addiction centres, and the impact on young people and families point to the need for a broader approach. Effective action should combine efforts against illegal drug trafficking with preventive education, accessible treatment, rehabilitation, and a careful assessment of the outcomes of prohibition.

Tone: Analytical, concerned, critical, and reform-oriented. The writer acknowledges the social concerns that motivated prohibition but questions whether criminalisation alone can address addiction. The editorial calls for an honest reassessment of policy and a more comprehensive response to the human and social consequences of substance abuse.