Why in news?

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

Reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to a drug-free India by 2047, the Home Minister emphasized that drugs not only devastate the nation's youth but also undermine national security and the economy. The revenue generated from illegal drug trade fuels terrorism and left-wing extremism, posing a serious threat to the country.

What’s in today’s article?

• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
• Drug Menace in India – Reasons behind increase in drug use

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

• About
  • NCB is the apex drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of India, established in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985.
  • The NCB is responsible for combating drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances.
• Nodal ministry: NCB operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• Performance of NCB
  • Between 2014 and 2024, 4,150 drug cases were registered, a 230% rise from the 1,250 cases between 2004 and 2014.
  • Arrests surged from 1,360 to 6,300, and drug seizures grew by 257%.
  • The value of drugs seized between 2004 to 2014 was ₹5,900 crore while the value of drugs 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 menace in India - Reasons for Widespread Drug Abuse in India

• To escape from hard realities of life –
  • The disintegration of the old joint family system, decline of old religious and moral values etc. lead to a rise in the number of drug addicts who take drugs to escape hard realities of life.
• Loosening of the traditional methods of social control
  • The loosening of the traditional methods of social control left an individual vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern life.
• Peers pressure
  • Many youths start using drug under the pressure from their friends, seniors at educational institutions, or by members of their informal groupings.
• Easy Availability
  • India is situated in the sense 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 usage of drugs in India is increasing, particularly in the border areas due to their porous nature.
• Economic prosperity
  • The agricultural reforms and other industrial activity have led to increase in income in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra etc.
  • Increase in disposable money and easy availability of drugs has led to increase in its use.

Fight against drug menace – India’s regulatory framework

• Article 47 of the Indian Constitution
  • The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based on the Directive Principles, contained in Article 47 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 international conventions
  • India is a signatory to:
    • the single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the Conventions on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
• Existing Laws
  • The broad legislative policy is contained in the three Central Acts:
    • Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,
    • NDPS Act, 1985, and
    • The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.
• Institutions involved
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was created in 1986 as a nodal agency to fight against this menace.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) are involved with alcohol and drug demand reduction policies and drug de-addiction programme.
• In order to prevent misuse of dual-use drugs, a permanent inter-ministerial committee has been formed with the ministry of health and family welfare and the ministry of chemicals.
• Technological intervention
  • The NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) portal has been launched as an effective mechanism for information exchange between various institutions/agencies.
  • A toll-free helpline called MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the number 1933 has been launched.
• Other measures
  • The government aims to achieve drug-free India by 2047 through a 3 points strategy - strengthening of institutional structure, coordination among all narco agencies and extensive public awareness campaign.
  • As part of this strategy a number of steps have been taken which includes:
    • Establishment of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in each state/UTs.
    • High priority to Drug Disposal drive.
    • Launch of NIDAAN Portal for Narco offenders.
    • Creation of canine squads for drug detection.
    • Strengthening the forensic capabilities.
    • Establishment of Special NDPS Courts and Fast Track Courts.
    • Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) for generating Awareness against drug Abuse.