Nepal Grapples with Alarming Drug Addiction Crisis; Only 5,000 in Rehab, 125,000 Unaccounted For

KATHMANDU: Nepal is facing a severe drug addiction crisis, with nearly 130,000 individuals identified as drug users across the country. However, access to treatment and rehabilitation services remains critically limited, according to recent government data.

Statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs indicate that while Nepal boasts 330 rehabilitation centres, a mere 5,000 individuals are currently receiving services from these facilities. This leaves an alarming 125,000 drug users outside the formal treatment system, largely unaddressed and dispersed within society.

In an effort to address this growing concern, the Kirtipur Municipality, with support from the Narcotics Control Section of the Ministry of Home Affairs and in collaboration with Richmond Fellowship Nepal, recently organized a two-day capacity-building training. The program equipped 36 social studies teachers from the Kathmandu Valley with essential knowledge on drug-related risks, prevention strategies, identification methods, and intervention techniques.

Dr. Sagun Ballav pant, a psychiatrist and one of the trainers at the event, highlighted the pervasive nature of the problem. “If even 10,000 are not receiving treatment, then where are the 125,000?” Dr. Pant questioned, emphasizing their presence throughout communities. “They are all around us, in our society. We must not turn a blind eye to them—we must engage in efforts to bring them back into the community.”

Dr. Pant further criticized the effectiveness of many existing rehabilitation centres, stating that a significant number do not meet required standards. He noted a critical lack of skilled personnel and comprehensive mental health services, leading to ineffective treatment outcomes. “Many rehab centers have become businesses rather than treatment facilities,” Dr. Pant remarked, underscoring a systemic issue.

Concerns are also mounting over the increasing attraction of youth to substances like marijuana, opium, and injectable drugs. Doctors warn that widespread misconceptions, particularly those portraying marijuana as natural and harmless, are exacerbating the problem. “Marijuana can cause severe mental health problems. There is widespread misinformation, and the risks are not fully understood,” Dr. Pant cautioned.

Experts also pointed out that current government statistics on drug users do not include individuals addicted to tobacco and alcohol. Should these figures be factored in, the scale of Nepal’s addiction problem would appear even more severe and widespread.

The training initiative by Kirtipur Municipality aims to foster anti-drug awareness starting from the school level. The program seeks to empower teachers to deliver responsible messaging to students, their families, and the broader community, promoting early intervention and prevention.

Dr. Pant emphasized that drug abuse has transcended individual affliction to become a significant social, educational, health, and security crisis for the nation. He stressed the urgent need for a unified national campaign involving the state, schools, health institutions, and communities to collectively combat this escalating challenge.