There has been an increase in the misuse of synthetic drugs and New Psychotropic Substances (NPS), posing a significant challenge for the government. In response, the government is contemplating the adoption of generic scheduling of drugs, hoping to replace the current method of substance-by-substance scheduling. This subject, alongside issues such as large-scale heroin trafficking from neighbouring countries, the misuse and diversion of pharmaceutical preparations and opium cultivation in India, was discussed at the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD).
Understanding New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
NPS are substances of abuse, either in their pure form or as a preparation, which aren’t controlled by United Nations drug conventions but may still present significant public health risks. Often known as ‘legal highs’, ‘bath salts’, or ‘research chemicals’, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) uses ‘New Psychoactive Substances’as the official term.
Contrary to what the term ‘new’ suggests, many NPS were first synthesized over 40 years ago. They’re considered ‘new’ because they’ve only become widely available in the market recently. NPS can have effects similar to controlled substances such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and ecstasy (MDMA). Their legal status varies greatly from country to country since they’re not controlled under International Drug Control Conventions.
For instance, several nations where numerous, different NPS have quickly emerged have implemented controls on whole NPS substance groups using a generic approach. They’ve also introduced legislation relying on the principle of chemical similarity, aiming to control substances not explicitly covered in existing laws.
Generic Scheduling of Drugs
Generic scheduling of drugs offers the government flexibility to regulate substances not currently covered by legislation. It allows for controlling substances sharing similarities with currently controlled substances by their effects or structural composition, eliminating the need for legislative reform.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997, combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division of the United Nations Office at Vienna. It became known as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002. The office is responsible for publishing the World Drug Report.
India’s Struggle with Drug Trafficking
Given its geographical position between the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle, two of the world’s largest opium-producing regions, India is highly vulnerable to narcotic drug trafficking. Heroin trafficking from neighbouring countries has been on a large scale, causing a significant threat to national security.
Drug misuse is a major social issue that heavily impacts youths, who often struggle to break free from addiction. Drug abuse affects not only the individuals using these substances but also their families and the broader community.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is assigned the task of creating awareness around drug demand reduction and rehabilitating drug addicts.
Legislative Provisions Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking
The legislative policy against drug abuse and trafficking in India is contained in three Central Acts – the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988. The Narcotics Control Bureau acts as the coordinating agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs as per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
International Commitments
India, committed to battling drug abuse and trafficking, is a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
