VISAKHAPATNAM: Though Andhra Pradesh is one of the largest producers of cannabis in the country, the state has among the lowest proportion of cannabis users. While the all-India average for cannabis use stands at 2.83 per cent, the average is only 1.04 per cent for Andhra Pradesh, states a survey by the ministry of social justice and empowerment, titled ‘Magnitude of Substance in Use in India’. The survey was conducted in all states and UTs.
The survey report states that Punjab has the highest proportion (12.55 per cent) of cannabis users in the country, followed by Sikkim (10.94 per cent) and Delhi (8.12 per cent). The other states in southern India also have a low proportion of cannabis users, with Kerala at 1.28 per cent, Karnataka at 0.54 per cent, Tamil Nadu at 0.16 per cent and Telangana at 0.62 per cent. There is a preponderance of men among cannabis consumers.
The survey also said that an overwhelming majority of alcohol consumption in the country is among males (nearly 95%). States with a high proportion of alcohol consumption are Chhattisgarh (35.6 per cent), Tripura (34.7 per cent) and Punjab (28.5 per cent). This figure is over 13 per cent for Andhra Pradesh.
Commissioner of the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB), Vineet Brijlal, said the survey states that 2.8 per cent of Indians aged 10-75 years are ‘current users’ of any cannabis product. With the survey placing this number at 1.04 per cent for Andhra Pradesh, a figure much lower than the national average, “we will continue the momentum to root out ganja cultivation,” he added.
However, Dr Uma Mahendra Raj of Green Valley Foundation, a centre for addiction treatment and rehabilitation, said consumption of cannabis has been slowly increasing in Andhra Pradesh over the past few years. “Some youngsters find joy and excitement in ganja. The increased levels of stress, boredom, loss of livelihood and anxiety have triggered an increase in the use of cannabis,” she said.
