Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 3: Hutbay is fast emerging as a troubling epicentre of drug activity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with official sources warning of an alarming surge in methamphetamine abuse among teenagers as young as 13.
In an exclusive interaction with The Wave Andaman, sources described a deeply concerning pattern unfolding on the island, one that cuts across gender and age, with adolescents between 13 and 17 reportedly falling into frequent substance use. The scale of the problem, they indicated, is no longer sporadic but systemic, steadily embedding itself within households.
“This is no longer an isolated issue. It is entering homes and affecting children at a very young age,” an official source said, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Compounding the crisis is the unresolved fallout of the 2019 shipwreck incident, after which several unidentified barrels washed ashore. Inputs now suggest that a number of these barrels may still be in the possession of local residents. Concerns persist over their potential misuse in the backdrop of the growing narcotics problem.
Tracking such materials has proven difficult, with sources acknowledging that locating them across dispersed settlements remains a major challenge. Residents have been urged to voluntarily surrender any such items or report their presence, as part of efforts to address the issue at its root.
Recent enforcement actions indicate that crackdowns are already underway. In a recent past incident, police recovered charas from multiple locations in parts of Hutbay, pointing to an expanding footprint of substance availability on the island. More such operations are expected as inputs continue to emerge.
Beyond enforcement, officials stressed that the sharp rise in methamphetamine consumption reflects a deeper social and public health concern, particularly due to its growing grip on minors. The trend, they warned, risks long-term consequences for the island’s youth if not addressed urgently.
Educational institutions have also been flagged as critical stakeholders in the response. Authorities have called on schools to establish structured mechanisms for early identification of at-risk students, along with systems for reporting and counseling to ensure timely intervention.
With substance abuse reportedly tightening its hold across sections of Hutbay, the situation is increasingly being seen as a community-wide crisis. Sources emphasised that without coordinated efforts involving families, institutions, and authorities, the problem could escalate further, leaving lasting social repercussions.
