As economists prognosticate about India’s economy and population overtaking China, fewer social scientists may be watching the trends of substance abuse among some regions, religions and groups in India.

In Sikhism, a religion that originated in India about 500 years ago, unhealthy attachment is considered one of the five biggest sins. Therefore, alcoholism and drug addiction are discouraged. Despite this, the northern Indian state of Punjab, home to 16 million Sikhs, has struggled with substance abuse for decades.

A young Sikh man named Pavitra, a Punjabi word meaning “holy,” is one of the nearly 4 million people in the state dependent on addictive substances. Pavitra said he first tasted alcohol out of curiosity while he was in school. However, his “adventure” quickly turned into drug abuse, addiction and even crime. A 50-minute documentary by ReligionUnplugged.com partner Newsreel Asia explores Pavitra’s life and his struggle with substance abuse.

At least 200,000 people in Punjab are addicted to opioids alone, while another 2.2 million are dependent on alcohol. The rate of alcohol use in Punjab, which borders Pakistan, is 28.5%, while the national average is 14.6%. In July 2022, the state government reported that 42% of the 8,000 prisoners screened in 14 jails and subjails were drug addicts. 

Punjab, once considered one of India's most prosperous states due to its agrarian economy that thrived after the Green Revolution of the 1960s, has struggled with unemployment as a result of a lack of industrialization. Additionally, the youth of Punjab are still recovering from the trauma of the 1980s separatist movement, which sought to establish a sovereign state for Sikhs called Khalistan. This movement led to a military operation by the Indian government in 1984, which resulted in mass killings of Sikhs and a brutal crackdown on the separatist movement.

While the Indian government managed to control the militancy in Punjab by around 1995, substance abuse and addiction have become prevalent issues since then.

A 2022 report by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh recommends that religious groups help combat drug addiction in the state. Pavitra shared that reading Sikh scripture and listening to religious songs helped him deal with his withdrawal symptoms.

Not all young people may reach the same resolution in their drug abuse stories, but hopefully, many can with the inspiration he has to offer. Newsreel’s documentary spends time listening and exploring the problem as well as solutions for people in Punjab.

Surabhi Singh is a journalist and documentary filmmaker with Newsreel Asia. Previously she worked with Stories Asia. Singh has a bachelor’s from Vinoba Bhave University.