7.32 crore people users of alcohol, drugs : govt

An estimated 7.32 crore people in India were users of alcohol and drugs, the Government informed the Lok Sabha today quoting a 2000-01 survey.
In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the Social Justice and Empowerment ministry had conducted a national survey on the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse in the years 2000-01.
"It is estimated that about 732 lakh people in India were users of alcohol and drugs of which 87 lakh used cannabis, 20 lakh used opiates and 625 lakh were users of alcohol. Thereafter, no national survey on drug abuse has been conducted," he said.

Ahir said that in 2016, the drug law enforcement agencies in India had seized 46,873.052 kg of Methaqualone and arrested 20 persons, including 8 foreign nationals.
It indicates that the drug is in demand in India and may be popular among users, he said.