THE number of arrested drug abusers in the first six months has dropped by 20 per cent, especially subutex users, which fell by a siginficant 53 per cent, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau's (CNB) mid-year report card.

Subutex users caught declined to 239 from 506 and CNB credits this to the drug - meant as a cure for heroin addicts -being made a controlled substance here two years ago.Overall, 954 abusers were arrested from January to June, compared to 1,192 a year ago.

Recalcitrant abusers continue to form the majority, or three-quarters, of all drug abusers caught so far this year.But 65 per cent of them are in for long-term imprisonment, which means they will be kept away from more abuse or influencing others.

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