Drug-related crimes in the country are increasing at an alarming rate, raising a serious question whether efforts being made by the stakeholders are enough.

According to data of the Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police, the number of people arrested for possessing drugs increased from 2,174 in 2011 to 3,696 in 2016. 

Similarly, the number of hard drug users, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs data from 2007-08 to 2012-13, the number of hard drug users was increasing at the rate of 11.36 percent a year. Data show hard drug users significantly increased in five years—from 46,310 in 2063 BS (2007-08) to 91,534 in 2069 BS (2012-13). 

The average age of drug users, according to the five-year data, is 27.07 years 

(minimum 13 and maximum 50 years). 

The commonly seized drugs in Nepal are opium, cannabis, cocaine and hashish.

SSP Dhiru Basnet, chief of the NCB, catalogues various reasons for the increase in cases of drugs possession, their abuse and drugs trafficking.

Long porous border with India makes it easier for the traffickers to transport 

the contraband into the country, says Basnet. “The NCB, along with other law 

enforcing agencies, is working on the ground to curb the crime,” he adds. “We work in close coordination with Interpol, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Narcotics Control Board to control drugs trafficking and drug-related crimes.”

According to the World Drug Report 2017 of the UNODC, in 2015, about a 

quarter of a billion people used drugs. “Of these, around 29.5 million people—or 0.6 per cent of the global adult population—were engaged in problematic use and suffered from drug use disorders, including dependence,” the report said. “Opioids were 

the most harmful drug type and accounted for 70 per cent of the negative health impact associated with drug use disorders worldwide.” The report was released on June 22.  

According to the NCB, as many as 767 people were arrested till March this year for possessing or using drugs. Officials say Nepal is not the main consumer destination and that it serves as a transit point. 

Foreigners, particularly Indian nationals and citizens of third world countries, are also involved in the trading of drugs in Nepal. 

A total 895 foreign nationals were arrested in Nepal between 2011 and 2016 for possessing drugs. Of them, 808 were Indian nationals. 

Apart from opiates, diazepam, buprenorphine, phenergan, nitrazepam are the most trafficked and consumed drugs in Nepal. 

Of the total drugs trafficked or consumed, based on the arrests made by the police, 40 percent incidents take place in Kathmandu Valley. 

The NCB data show that 965kg cannabis, 440kg hashish, 16 kg opium and 19,205 ampules of controlled pharmaceutical drugs were seized in the first three months 

of 2017. 

SSP Basnet says constant monitoring of border areas and integrated awareness programmes are a must to curb drug-related crimes.

It requires concerted efforts, he says. “Regional cooperation and coordination among security forces from different countries and strong vigilance along Nepal-India border could help in curbing drug trafficking.