Drug Menace

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.
• 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.

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.
• 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