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The topic of marijuana, narcotic drugs, psychoactive substances, and related substances such as Bhang and Charas is a key area that needs to be covered for the Prelims. In addition, candidates are advised to look into ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or the Drug-Free India Campaign for the Mains. Recently, the spotlight has been on Karnataka High Court’s declaration regarding Bhang not being a prohibited drink or drug according to the NDPS Act, 1985, which has raised several questions.
Understanding Bhang
Bhang is an edible preparation made from the leaves of the cannabis plant, often used in drinks like thandai and lassi, and various foods. This substance has been consumed for centuries in the Indian subcontinent, particularly during the festivals of Holi and Mahashivratri. Although it is not explicitly mentioned in the NDPS Act, 1985, its legal status has been under debate due to its association with cannabis.
The NDPS Act and Its Provisions
Enacted in 1985, the NDPS Act acts as the principal legislation regarding drugs and their trafficking. The Act defines cannabis as a narcotic drug, particularly focusing on certain parts of the plant. It lists Charas, the separated resin from the cannabis plant, as well as Ganja, which refers to the flowering or fruiting tops of the plant (excluding seeds and leaves unattached from these tops). Any mixtures of these, or any drinks prepared from them, fall under the Act, but it doesn’t directly address bhang.
Section 20 of the NDPS Act outlines the penalties for the production, manufacture, sale, purchase, import, and inter-state export of cannabis as defined by the Act. The severity of punishment depends on the amount of drugs seized, and in some cases, it may result in the death penalty for repeat offenders.
State of Crime under the NDPS Act
Based on recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2021, Punjab topped the list in crime rate under the NDPS Act with a staggering 32.8%. Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh followed with rates of 20.8% and 17.2% respectively. The lowest recorded crime rate under this Act was seen in Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (0.5%), followed by Gujarat (0.7%) and Bihar (1.2%).
Initiatives to Tackle Drug Addiction
Several initiatives have been undertaken to address drug addiction. The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) was set up in 2016, and the “Financial Assistance to States for Narcotics Control” scheme was revived. Furthermore, the Seizure Information Management System aims to create a comprehensive online database of drug offences and offenders.
Additionally, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, aided by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS, is conducting the National Drug Abuse Survey to track drug abuse patterns in India. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also launched Project Sunrise in 2016 to combat the increasing prevalence of HIV in northeastern states, particularly amongst people injecting drugs.
Lastly, the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or Drug-Free India Campaign, is another significant initiative worth noting in this context, aiming to substantially reduce drug consumption in India. It’s also important to understand the connection between drug trafficking and other illicit activities like gunrunning, money laundering, and human trafficking, as well as the counter-measures that could be implemented to prevent them for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
