According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report on ‘Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India’, Tamil Nadu has overtaken Punjab as the state with the highest number of drug overdose deaths in 2024, recording 313 deaths compared to Punjab's 106. This marks a concerning return to high overdose rates in Tamil Nadu, which had previously seen a decline in 2022 and 2023. The state faces significant challenges with methamphetamine abuse and a rising popularity of hydroponic cannabis, cultivated under controlled conditions and imported from countries such as Thailand, Canada, and the US. The political ramifications are significant, with parties like the AIADMK criticizing the ruling DMK government for failing to control drug availability, particularly among youth. Punjab, while improving to second place, has also seen an increase in overdose deaths from 89 in 2023 to 106 in 2024. The NCRB report highlights that Punjab has the second-highest crime rate under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with a staggering 8,973 cases reported. The rising drug crisis in both states underscores a growing public health concern in India.