A total of 728 cases were filed with the Drug Court last year which is an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous year.

According to statistics, 597 cases were concluded and 596 people were sent for rehabilitation last year. The number of pending cases decreased by 9.5 percent compared to the previous year.

Last year, 806 people were registered for treatment at nine rehabilitation centers. However, there were 457 people who were unable to start rehabilitation last year.

Delays in drug treatment have always been a concern and there are complaints over the lack of treatment and rehabilitation options for addicts.

According to the Criminal Court, 149 drug related cases were heard in 2024 but only 39 ended in convictions.

Last year, 228 drug cases were filed in the Criminal Court and 305 in the Magistrate Courts. Meanwhile, 42 percent of the cases filed in the judicial courts last year were drug cases.