Almost 13 pc, 16 crore Indians are alcoholic

New Delhi: It may be disturbing but true that around 13 per cent of Indians population is alcoholics, says a survey report by government of India.

A national survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS revealed that around 16 crore people in India are alcohalic and need medical aid but only 20 per cent are able to get.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday revleaed the official figures of 16 crore population consuming alcohol in the country and claimed that government will do all to take remedial measures for the affected people.

"During the survey, more than two lakh households were visited in 186 districts of the country. The survey was conducted after a gap of 15 years," Gehlot said.

Minister said, "Primary objective of this survey was to assess the extent and pattern of drugs and alcohalic materials used for their consumption in each state and union territories".

NDDTC Professor Atul Ambekar informed that over three crore people have used cannabis products, charas, marijuana in the country. Out of this 72 lakh have become addicts.

He also revealed that an estimated 62 lakh persons were users of drugs and alcohol and consume opium and heroin.

According to the survey, only one in 38 people with alcohol dependence get any medical aid.

It said, the states with high prevalence of dependent pattern of alcohol use disorders are Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh. Nearly one in five alcohol users needs urgent treatment.