Aizawl, Jan. 13 -- Despite a slight decline in drug-related deaths in 2024, Mizoram continues to battle a serious drug abuse crisis.

The northeastern Indian state, plagued by substance abuse and a surge in drug trafficking from neighboring countries and states, reported 71 drug-related deaths last year, a decrease of three from the previous year's 74.

According to official data, heroin remains the primary cause of these fatalities, with many deaths resulting from the misuse of multiple drugs.

Since 1984, when the first drug-related death due to heroin was recorded, Mizoram has witnessed a tragic toll of 1,881 lives lost to drug abuse, including 230 women.

The 828-kilometer-long India-Myanmar international border facilitates the smuggl...