According to police, data shows that the risk of traffic accidents is increasing with the increase in drug use among young people between the ages of 18 and 30.
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A bus accident in Benighat, Ramechhap on Magh 15 killed 8 injured. The incident highlighted the serious impact of increasing drug abuse on road safety in the district.
The incident, which initially appeared to be a normal road accident, took a different turn when a bus carrying the former Araniko Transport Pvt. Ltd. bearing the number 01-005 Kha 9975 coming from Kathmandu fell into the Tamakoshi River near the Benighat bridge in Manthali Municipality-6.
The bus driver, 31-year-old Sushant Thapa Magar, was confirmed to have consumed drugs and is currently in jail for remand on the order of the District Court, Ramechhap.
According to the District Police Office, Ramechhap, this incident has become an example of the problem of driving under the influence of drugs in the district. At an interaction program organized in Manthali on Saturday under the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking-2026, Police Inspector Rajan Prasad Timsina informed that more than eight drivers have been arrested on charges of driving under the influence of drugs so far in the current fiscal year 2082/083. According to him, some of those arrested are in custody pending trial, some have been released on bail or on a date, and some have been released after counseling.
Police statistics show that the number of drug-related cases in Ramechhap has been increasing in recent years. Three drug cases were registered in the fiscal year 2080/81. Although that number decreased to one in 2081/082, only five cases have been registered so far in the current fiscal year. There are nine defendants in those cases.
According to Police Inspector Timsina, the trend of using marijuana and various types of drug-related tablets is increasing in the district, especially among youth in the age group of 18 to 30. 'Earlier, drug incidents were limited. It seems that its reach is increasing among the youth now. This is not only a social problem but is also directly affecting public safety,' he said.
According to District Police Chief DSP Santulal Prasad Jaiswal, after the Benighat accident, the police have prioritized drug testing along with measuring. 'We have intensified regular checks of drivers, tests of drivers in suspicious conditions, and awareness campaigns,' he said. 'Programs are being run focusing on schools, communities, and the public transport sector.' According to him, the risk of road accidents is likely to increase if the tendency to drive under the influence of drugs is not controlled.
Assistant Chief District Officer Ram Bahadur KC expressed growing concern about drug abuse in the district and said that controlling it is not the responsibility of the police alone. 'Family, schools, local levels, civil society, and security agencies should all work together,' he said. 'It is necessary to make the week-long campaign currently being run effective in practice.'
