Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha today ranks third in terms of ganja or charas use and is also among the top three states that house the highest number of people with opioid and cannabis use problems and among the top 10 states with people needing help for alcohol and sedative-related issues.
According to the reports, Odisha Police has proposed a Statewide survey and setting up drug dependence treatment centres at three medical colleges and hospitals. A dedicated scheme for alternate livelihood in cannabis growing areas of the State has also been suggested to keep people away from its cultivation.
The government is planning to establish drug dependence treatment centres at three old medical colleges and hospitals in the first phase which may be scaled up later. The Additional Chief Secretary of Health has been urged to take necessary action at the earliest for drug dependence treatment centres and the Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department asked to plan for an alternate livelihood scheme.
