The destruction of 1.44 lakh kg of drugs worth Rs 2,378 crore seized across the country speaks volumes about the huge success achieved by the Narcotics Control Bureau and Anti-Narcotic Task Forces of the States in the war on drugs in India. Stronger and more effective measures for demand reduction are needed to ensure that achievements in curbing supplies are not eroded by an unabated growth in the number of drug addicts. Demand reduction is primarily the responsibility of society, even though adequate financial support by the Central and State governments is critical to sustaining de-addiction and rehabilitation of addicts. The latest observation by the Supreme Court has put the spotlight on gaps in the criminal justice system, such as delays in the disposal of cases against drug traffickers, dealers, and peddlers by trial courts. Plugging this gap is crucial to ensuring that those involved in illicit drug business cannot come out of jail without serving the term and resume their illegal activities. The SC has held that an accused cannot be made to remain behind bars indefinitely under the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as the law requires the court to be convinced that the person is guilty. A speedy trial of those charged under the NDPS Act is a must to overcome the challenge of the accused being enlarged on bail due to a delay in conviction. It will require the strengthening of courts, police stations, the forensic department, and cybercrime wings so that there is no procedural delay or lapse allowing the accused to take advantage of legal loopholes. Over the past nine-and-a-half years, 3,700 cases have been registered, which also indicates a proportionate rise in the number of cases in the trial court. The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) is a flagship scheme under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for preventive education and awareness generation, capacity building, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, programmes for drug demand reduction by States/UTs etc., and NGOs/Voluntary Organisation for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (lRCAs), Community-based Peer Led lntervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents and Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and Addiction treatment facilities (ATFs) in Government Hospitals. Media reports and surprise visits by inspecting authorities have brought to light that some private rehabilitation centres in Assam are running without basic amenities and in substandard conditions. This newspaper reported about the spread of HIV infection, especially among Injecting Drug Users (IDU), which has pressed the alarm bell on a health bomb ticking as the fallout of the rise in the number of drug addicts. The HIV prevalence of 11.24% among IDUs in the state, which is the highest in the country and much higher than the national average of 9.03%, is reflective of the impending health crisis if not dealt with immediately. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment supports 340 IRCAs, which provide treatment to drug victims, services of preventive education, awareness generation, motivational counselling, detoxification or de-addiction, aftercare, and re-integration into the social mainstream. Given the size of the growing population of drug addicts in several lakhs in Assam and other states in the Northeast region, more such integrated centres are needed in the region for de-addiction and rehabilitation. Assam police estimate that there are three lakh drug addicts in the state, and if the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes estimates are considered, then the number of addicts in the state could be around 7.5 lakh. In Meghalaya, official estimates put the figure of drug addicts at 2.5 lakh, and these figures paint a frightening picture of the dark future of lakhs of youth in the region. Abuse of technology by drug dealers and addicts to escape the dragnet of the NCB, or anti-narcotic task force, in states has led to the shifting of the deal from street peddlers to the dark web. The NCB’s busting of multiple pan-India drug trafficking networks operating in multiple countries calls for strengthening the cybercrime wings of police forces to bust dark net criminal gangs. While these recoveries, seizures, and arrests are just the tip of the iceberg, society has failed to take note of them, which is very unfortunate. The impact of the awareness drive by government departments and NGOs will remain confined to only those who have taken part in the events and programmes until all stakeholders in society shoulder the responsibility of spreading awareness against drug addiction to every household. Adequate parental supervision of children and monitoring their behaviours to notice any abnormalities, changes in sleeping patterns, or health issues can help parents detect early signs of drug abuse and take prompt measures. If parents in every household can be reached through an intensive awareness drive, then it will significantly reduce demand for drugs and help achieve a drug-free India through public-government collaboration.