Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
Narcotics Control Bureau approach the issue of drug use, most importantly amongst youth, with a combination of prevention, education, and support.
Pic: Social Media
The issue of drug menace in India, like in many other countries, is a complex and multifaceted problem. It involves the illegal production, trafficking, and consumption of various drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, synthetic drugs, and prescription medications. The recent crackdown conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in several parts of India has shown a steep rise in the drug menace.
States including Mizoram and Maharashtra witnessed such raids where approximately Rs. 60 crores worth of drugs and more than Rs. 300 crores worth of drugs, respectively were busted. In Maharashtra’s Nashik district, police seized drugs and other items after a raid at a godown after a tip-off from a local resident. The godown was located near a hotel in Shinde village close to the Nashik-Pune highway.
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Earlier, the Mumbai police had seized mephedrone worth Rs 300 crore and arrested 12 persons from different cities in an operation, including a raid on Thursday at a drug manufacturing unit located at Shinde village MIDC industrial area in Nashik from where 133 kg of mephedrone worth Rs 267 crore was seized.
Pic: Social Media
Apart from Maharashtra, Mizoram has emerged as the new ‘store’ for drug trafficking. Amid the ongoing strife in Manipur, this neighboring State has emerged as the new route for smuggling drugs from Myanmar, prompting the state police to step up efforts to counter the menace.
The police action has led to the recovery of drugs worth Rs 60 crore and the arrest of two Myanmar nationals within a week. Moreover, Mizoram Police’s significant catch of suspected rare Methamphetamine (Crystal meth) was made on the 3rd of October, 2023 at the Lengpui Airport. The suspected drug 10.4 Kgs. (approx.) amounts to around Rs. 31 crores in the international market.
Pic: Social Media
The drug menace in India has some key factors that need to be looked upon. These are
- Drug use in India has been on the rise, particularly among young people.
- The vast size and population of India, porous borders, corruption, lack of awareness, and education, and poverty contribute to the drug menace.
- India serves as a transit point for drug trafficking due to its strategic location between drug-producing regions like the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent.
The Indian government has implemented various measures to combat drug abuse and trafficking. It has also implemented demand reduction programs aimed at preventing drug abuse and providing rehabilitation for those already addicted. The country also cooperates with international agencies and neighboring countries to combat the cross-border drug trade.
It’s important to note that the drug issue in India, like in other countries, is a complex social problem with no easy solutions. Efforts to address the drug menace involve a combination of law enforcement, education, prevention, and rehabilitation initiatives. Additionally, international cooperation is essential to combat the global drug trade effectively.
