Punjab’s prisons are awash with de-addiction pills. But is that good news?

What happened: Punjab's prisons show a sharp rise in buprenorphine and naloxone pill supply under opioid substitution therapy. The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the government to explain the surge, after a report flagged that nearly 70% of Mansa district jail inmates were dependent on these drugs. Key numbers: 43 Why it matters: Experts warn the pills may be misused without supervision, shifting addiction rather than ending it. A legislative committee said supply growth outpaced the rise in prisoners, and the government could not say how many addicts fully recovered in five years.

Punjab's prisons show a sharp rise in buprenorphine and naloxone pill supply under opioid substitution therapy. The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the government to explain the surge, after a report flagged that nearly 70% of Mansa district jail inmates were dependent on these drugs.

Experts warn the pills may be misused without supervision, shifting addiction rather than ending it. A legislative committee said supply growth outpaced the rise in prisoners, and the government could not say how many addicts fully recovered in five years.