Ludhiana, Feb. 28 -- Nearly seven lakh children aged between 10 and 17 years in Punjab are estimated to be using drugs, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has said, flagging an alarming substance abuse crisis among the state's youth.

Addressing a gathering at the Swadeshi Mela at Punjab Agricultural University on Saturday, NCB zonal director Amanjit Singh termed the situation "grave", citing findings from the 51st Report (2022-23) of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on social justice and empowerment.

Quoting data drawn from a comprehensive national survey conducted in 2018, Singh pointed to a sharp rise in the consumption of opioids, inhalants and sedatives in Punjab, with cocaine also steadily gaining ground.

According to the repo...