Punjab's government-run de-addiction centres are facing significant overcrowding, with nearly 1,600 patients currently receiving treatment, exceeding the sanctioned capacity of approximately 1,850 beds. This surge is a result of the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, launched in March 2022, which aims to combat drug addiction through a strategy of Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP). Many patients are admitted under Section 64-A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, allowing them to seek treatment voluntarily to avoid prosecution. The centres are admitting between 250-300 patients weekly, leading to a widening gap between demand and available resources. For instance, the Patiala centre is accommodating 47 patients in a facility meant for 35, while the Hoshiarpur centre is handling 170 patients with a capacity of 100. In response, the Punjab government is partnering with NGOs and nursing colleges to increase capacity to around 5,000. However, staff members express concerns over increased workloads and safety issues due to the overcrowded conditions.