Aizawl: Mizoram witnessed 71 drug-related deaths, including 11 women, in 2024, according to the Excise and Narcotics Department.
This marks a slight decline from the 74 deaths reported in 2023.
“Heroin abuse was the primary cause of these fatalities,” department spokesperson Peter Zohmingthanga stated on Sunday.
Since 1984, when the state recorded its first drug-related death, a total of 1,881 people—including 230 women—have lost their lives due to drug abuse, government data reveals.
Mizoram, where alcohol is prohibited, has long struggled with drug smuggling from neighbouring Myanmar.
The state shares an 828-km border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, making it a transit route for narcotics.
Spasmo-Proxyvon and Parvon Spas were the leading killer drugs until 2015, after which heroin became predominant due to increased supply from Myanmar.
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Officials noted that 2004 saw the highest number of drug-related deaths in the state, with 143 fatalities.
Over the past decade alone, 564 people have died due to drug abuse in Mizoram.
In 2024, the Excise and Narcotics Department seized 46.5 kg of heroin, 138.8 kg of methamphetamine tablets, and 586.6 kg of ganja, among other contraband.
Additionally, the department registered cases against 7,309 individuals for drug- and alcohol-related offenses.
