Money coming from drugs is a serious threat to country’s security

Aspirant IAS Academy

Amit Shah says illicit drug trade not only a challenge for India but also a global issue - The Hindu

Context

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recently inaugurated the Zonal Unit Office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

    • NCB is the apex drug regulation enforcement and intelligence agency of India, set up in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985.
    • The NCB is responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal materials.
    • Nodal ministry: NCB operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
  • Performance of NCB
    • Between 2014 and 2024, 4,150 drug cases have been registered, a 230% rise from the 1,250 cases between 2004 and 2014.
    • Arrests surged from 1,360 to 6300, and drug seizures grew by 257%.
    • The cost of drugs seized between 2004 to 2014 was ₹5,900 crore while the fee of medication seized between 2014 to 2024 was ₹22,000 crore.
    • In terms of volume, 5,43,000 kg of drugs were seized between 2014 and 2024.

Drug threat in India

  • To escape from hard realities of life –
      • The disintegration of the old joint family system, decline of old religious and ethical values etc. Cause a rise within the wide variety of drug addicts who take drugs to escape harsh realities of life.
  • Loosening of the conventional methods of social control
      • The Loosening of the conventional techniques of social control left an individual prone to the stresses and lines of contemporary lifestyles.
  • Peers pressure
      • Many youths begin the usage of drugs under the pressure from their friends, seniors at academic establishments, or by individuals in their informal groupings.
  • Easy Availability
      • India is situated in the experience that on its west is the ‘Golden Crescent’ and on east is the ‘Golden Triangle’.
      • Golden Crescent – Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan
      • Golden Triangle – Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar
      • The utilization of drugs in India is increasing, particularly within the border areas because of their porous nature.
  • Economic prosperity
    • The agricultural reforms and different industrial interests have led to increase in profits in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and so forth.
    • Increase in disposable money and easy availability of medication has caused an increase in its use.

Fight against drug threat 

  • Article 47 of the Indian Constitution
      • The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based totally on the Directive Principles, contained in Article forty seven of the Indian Constitution.
      • The Article directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.
  • Signatory to global conventions
      • India is a signatory to:
        • the single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended through the 1972 Protocol, the Conventions on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the UN Convention towards Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
  • Existing Laws
      • Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,
      • NDPS Act, 1985, and
      • The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.
  • Institutions concerned
      • The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was created in 1986 as a nodal agency to fight against this menace.
      • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) are concerned with alcohol and drug call for reduction guidelines and drug de-dependence programmes.
      • In order to prevent misuse of twin-use drugs, an inter-ministerial committee has been formed with the ministry of fitness and own family welfare and the ministry of chemicals.
  • Technological intervention
      • The NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) portal has been released as a powerful mechanism for records trade among various establishments/companies.
      • A toll-free helpline referred to as MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the range 1933 has been launched.
  • Other measures
    • The government targets to gain drug-unfastened India by 2047 by a 3 factors method – strengthening of institutional shape, coordination amongst all narco agencies and huge public cognizance marketing campaign.
  • As a part of this method a number of steps were taken which includes:
    • Establishment of a devoted Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in each state/UTs.
    • High precedence to Drug Disposal force.
    • Launch of NIDAAN Portal for Narco offenders.
    • Creation of canine squads for drug detection.
    • Strengthening the forensic talents.
    • Establishment of Special NDPS Courts and Fast Track Courts.
    • Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) for producing Awareness towards drug Abuse.

Source: The Hindu

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