The alcohol ban instituted by former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2016 was initially met with widespread approval, especially among women in the state. Despite this ban, recent findings indicate that alcohol consumption has not diminished as intended. Data from the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) revealed that approximately 16.5 per cent of men aged 15 and above consumed alcohol in 2023-24. This figure marks an increase from 15.4 per cent recorded in the earlier NFHS-5 survey conducted between 2019 and 2021.

Moreover, the NFHS-6 reported that a small percentage, specifically 0.4 per cent, of women in Bihar indulged in alcohol consumption, despite the imposition of the statewide prohibition. This indicates that the ban has not fully dissuaded drinking among women in the region either.

Differences in Urban and Rural Consumption

Analysis of the survey data highlights a significant disparity in alcohol consumption rates between urban and rural areas in Bihar. Rural regions displayed higher consumption, with 17.1 per cent of men reporting alcohol use, compared to only 12.8 per cent of men in urban settings. This stark contrast suggests that factors influencing drinking habits may vary notably between these demographics.

Such statistics raise concerns and prompt discussions about the effectiveness of prohibition policies. The ongoing prevalence of alcohol in rural areas potentially indicates a cultural or social persistence of drinking behaviours that resist legislative measures.

Additionally, the situation may be compounded by geographical accessibility to illegal alcohol sources, further blurring the lines between legal prohibitions and actual consumption behaviour.

Rise of Alternative Substances and Related Issues

In the wake of the alcohol ban, Bihar has also experienced a troubling increase in narcotics-related offences. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, reported cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act skyrocketed from 964 in 2020 to 2,411 in 2024, signifying a rise of nearly 150 per cent. This spike suggests a potential shift in the substance abuse landscape within the state.

Healthcare professionals in Bihar have noted a worrying trend of addiction to synthetic drugs, sleeping pills, and pharmaceutical substances in the years following the prohibition. Medical experts from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna have indicated that many former alcohol users have transitioned to more easily accessible and cheaper intoxicants. This shift could have serious implications for public health, as these substances may carry their own risks and complications.

In a recent development, law enforcement agencies seized considerable amounts of codeine-based cough syrups, which are commonly misused for their intoxicating properties. Such seizures highlight the ongoing battle against substance abuse in the state and raise questions about whether prohibition is a viable solution to drug and alcohol-related issues.

Continuing Challenges Post-Prohibition

Nearly a decade after the implementation of the prohibition policy as a social reform initiative, it appears that the regulations have not led to a significant decrease in alcohol consumption across Bihar. These findings invite scrutiny regarding the overall effectiveness of blanket bans on specific substances and their ability to effect genuine societal change.

The contrasting realities of alcohol consumption levels and the rise in alternative substance misuse cast doubt on the success of the prohibition strategy. Stakeholders may need to consider more nuanced approaches to addressing substance use in Bihar that extend beyond outright bans.

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