Punjab faces several deep-rooted obstacles that make the elimination of illegal drugs extremely challenging. One of the biggest issues is the strong and well-organized drug trafficking network that operates across the India–Pakistan border as well as within the state itself. Drug smugglers frequently use new methods such as drones, underground tunnels, and corrupt channels to transport heroin and other narcotics into Punjab. This highly adaptive supply chain makes it difficult for law-enforcement agencies to completely stop the flow of drugs.
Another serious obstacle is corruption within different layers of the system, including some officials in law enforcement, politics, and local administration. Even a small number of compromised officers or political links can weaken large operations, allow traffickers to escape, or help them continue their trade under protection. This corruption reduces public trust and makes anti-drug campaigns less effective.
Punjab also struggles with shortage of proper rehabilitation and mental health infrastructure. Thousands of addicted individuals need long-term medical, psychological, and social support, but many de-addiction centers lack staff, funding, and quality services. Without proper treatment, many addicts relapse, creating a continuous cycle of demand for illegal drugs. The absence of strong rehabilitation support makes it difficult to break this cycle.
A major challenge is the social stigma associated with addiction, which discourages families from bringing affected individuals for treatment. Instead of seeing addiction as a medical condition, many households hide the issue due to shame or fear of social judgment. This silence allows addiction to worsen and prevents timely intervention. The stigma also causes underreporting of overdose deaths, weakening the government’s understanding of the true scale of the crisis.
Punjab’s economic landscape has also contributed to the problem. Unemployment, especially among rural youth, creates fertile ground for drug dependency. With fewer job opportunities and lack of skill development, many young people fall prey to drugs as an escape from hopelessness. At the same time, some become part of the local drug distribution networks due to financial incentives, making enforcement even more complicated.
Political factors are another barrier. Drug abuse often becomes a political issue rather than a humanitarian crisis, with parties blaming each other instead of working on unified, long-term solutions. Frequent political interference, change of strategies, and lack of continuity in policies have prevented Punjab from implementing stable and effective anti-drug programs.
Lastly, the sheer scale of the drug crisis is itself a challenge. When thousands of individuals are trapped in addiction and powerful groups profit from trafficking, the government requires massive and consistent effort, coordination, and resources to fight the problem. Without long-term planning, strict accountability, and strong public participation, completely eliminating illegal drugs becomes extremely difficult.