The recent gruesome murder of 21-year-old Krishna Kumar Mahara and the drug-related death of Bhula Yadav in Siraha district in Madhesh Province serve as a stark reminder of the growing drug addiction crisis in the province. These two tragic deaths highlight a public health and social problem which urgently requires the attention of law enforcement agencies, civil society leaders, and the general public. As reports suggest, the entire Madhesh Province has been caught in the quagmire of drug abuse-related crimes in recent years. Substance abuse, particularly among the youths, appears to be spiraling out of control in Madhesh, with over 1,000 people arrested for drug possession in the past fiscal year (FY) alone. Despite police efforts, the flow of narcotics appears to be devastating communities across the province. This underscores the need for the local, provincial and federal governments to take proactive measures to prevent more youths from falling into addiction.
Several factors have contributed to this crisis, especially in the southern areas sharing an open border with India. The easy availability of drugs, smuggled across the porous Nepal-India border, has created an environment where young lives are derailed by addiction. The involvement of youths in violence while under the influence of drugs highlights the need to treat drug abuse not only as a health issue but also as a societal one. One disturbing trend is that disillusioned and financially strained youth are turning to drugs for solace. The tragic story of Bhula Yadav, who returned home financially bankrupt after working for years in Malaysia, and subsequently fell into drug addiction and died from an overdose, symbolizes the hopelessness many youths in Madhesh and elsewhere face.
Land Reform: Lacking Holistic Approach
While there is a need to further improve coordination among security agencies and increase vigilance, the question now is—what more can be done to tackle this growing menace? While law enforcement is crucial, a punitive approach alone is unlikely to solve this crisis. The root causes—family neglect, poverty, unemployment, peer pressure, and lack of awareness—must be addressed. A coordinated effort that includes psychological counseling, awareness campaigns, and community engagement is essential to prevent youth from falling into drug addiction. Also, these two incidents should serve as a wake-up call for authorities— more lives will be lost and families like Mahara’s and Bhula’s will continue to suffer if proper rehabilitation, social safety nets and drug prevention programs are not implemented effectively.
