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In News
- The Supreme Court recently highlighted that drug abuse has gripped society and also demanded some modules that can translate as an Order to tackle the issue.
More about the news
- Court’s take on Drug menace:
- Issue:
- According to the court’s adviser in the case, it is a matter of demand and supply.
- It acknowledged that inroads are made by the drug mafia in society, especially among youngsters, which pose a “grave situation”.
- Court directive:
- The apex court asked to draw up some common parameters and find a reasonable solution to combat the situation.
- Issue:
- Government’s response:
- Government said that Departments such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence are examining ways to plug loopholes and augment preventive mechanisms to counter the menace
- They are also examining a possible “narco-terror angle” in the situation.
- Government said that Departments such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence are examining ways to plug loopholes and augment preventive mechanisms to counter the menace
More about the drugs consumption and related issues in India
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The gravity of the situation
- Post-Pandemic scenario:
- The court’s adviser in the case said the drug menace has taken a turn for the worse following the pandemic.
- Use of modern techniques to deal in drugs:
- He also said that people involved, pushers and users, take to the dark web to deal in drugs.
- Courier and postal services are used to ferry narcotics.
- Data on menace:
- The distribution networks have become more systematic, organised and widespread.
- ?30,000 crore worth of narcotics have been seized in the past several months.
- Reports by the Narcotics Control Bureau, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Comptroller and Auditor General and even the AIIMS, showed that a “sizeable population” was addicted.
- The distribution networks have become more systematic, organised and widespread.
- Data by high courts:
- Several High Courts across the country have in the past taken cognisance of the shadow cast by the drug mafia on society.
- In 2020, the Madras High Court highlighted the pervasive influence wielded by drug peddlers in schools, colleges and other public places.
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court has been for a time hearing a case on the rampant drug problem in Punjab.
- The Kerala High Court had directed the State government to establish campus police units in educational institutions.
Government’s measures to curb drug menace
- India has adopted a comprehensive approach of reducing supply as well as demand for narcotics and drugs. The approach comprises four elements:
- first, enacting legislation;
- second, ensuring physical security of the borders and coasts;
- third, eliciting cooperation from neighbours and;
- fourth, co-operating with voluntary organizations in the national endeavour to prevent abuse of narcotics and synthetic drugs.
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
- The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985 was passed with the intent of controlling drug abuse and prohibiting the use, distribution, manufacture, and trade of drugs.
- The Act includes provisions for
- The cultivation of cannabis, poppy, and coca plants as well as the
- Manufacturing of psychotropic substances in connection with the cultivation of these plants.
- Objective:
- Its primary objective is to regulate the manufacturing, possession, sale, and transportation of drugs that are considered narcotics or psychotropics.
- Outcomes:
- As a result of this act, 200 psychotropic substances are prohibited from sale to walk-in customers.
- Prescriptions are required to obtain these drugs.
- There have been multiple amendments to the law since it was established.
- National Fund to Control Drug Abuse
- The fund was created in accordance with a provision of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
- The Act states that the fund would be used to combat illicit trafficking of narcotics, rehabilitate addicts, and prevent drug abuse.
- Seizure Information Management System(SIMS):
- For digitisation of pan-India drug seizure data, the MHA has launched an e-portal called ‘SIMS’ in 2019 for all the drug law enforcement agencies under the mandate of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS)
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):
- It is vested with the power to charge individuals in cases related to the illegal use and supply of narcotics.
- India is a signatory to various international drug-related UN conventions and the responsibility of implementation of the provision of these international conventions also lies with NCB.
- Recently, the Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launched the website for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
Way ahead
- Promoting science-based interventions is an absolute necessity if we are to reduce the demand and supply of drugs.
- Prevention programs involving entities such as families, schools and the immediate communities are important in this regard.
- Media can play a vital role in creating awareness regarding drug abuse.
Source: TH
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