The global drug trade poses a significant threat to security and law enforcement agencies worldwide, including India. Traditionally, India is positioned between two major drug-producing regions, the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle. Drug lords indirectly supported by intelligence setups in these areas flood India with drugs, particularly heroin and methamphetamine.
Drug Trafficking Dangers: Threats and Impacts
Drug trafficking is not just a social issue; it’s also a security concern. It harms young people and families and finances disruptive activities that impact national security. Criminal networks traffic various drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Methamphetamine, an addictive substance, can lead to serious health problems and even death. Moreover, the money generated from drug trafficking often funds other criminal activities such as terrorism, corruption, and the transportation of other illicit products.
Exploring the State of Drug Addiction in India
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conducted a “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” in 2018 in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi. The survey revealed that 14.6% of the population used alcohol, 2.83% used cannabis, and 2.1% used opiates or opioids. The World Drug Report 2022 further noted that India ranked fourth in terms of the quantity of opium seized (5.2 tons) in 2020.
Sources of Illegal Drugs in India: The Golden Threats
India faces threats from the Death (Golden) Crescent and the Death (Golden) Triangle. The Golden Crescent includes Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, from where Afghan opium is converted into heroin and sent to India by Pakistani traffickers. The Golden Triangle constitutes Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, regions under the control of rebel groups supported by the Chinese. These areas produce heroin and methamphetamine and reportedly manufacture illicit arms supplied to underground groups active in India.
Indian Initiatives to Combat the Drug Menace
India has established numerous measures to curb drug trafficking and abuse. The NDPS Act of 1985 prohibits the production, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, storage, and consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. The National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse, created as per the NDPS Act, finances measures for combating illicit trafficking and controlling drug abuse. The ministry also implemented a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction spanning from 2018-25.
International Treaties and India’s Role
India is a signatory to several critical international treaties and conventions aimed at combating drug trafficking. They include the United Nations Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988), and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000.
The Challenges to Tackling Drug Trafficking in India
Several challenges impair efforts to tackle drug trafficking in India. Darknet markets, difficult to trace due to their anonymity, have become hotspots for illicit drug trafficking. Additionally, Cryptocurrency payments and doorstep deliveries through courier services have made these markets even more attractive. Drug traffickers have also begun to employ sophisticated technologies such as drones for supplying drugs. Other challenges include connections between drug cartels and non-resident Indians (NRIs), issues with local gangs used for trafficking, and the rise in courier/parcel/post delivery mechanisms.
The Way Forward: Combating Drug Trafficking and Abuse
To effectively address drug trafficking, India must regulate cross-border trafficking and enhance drug enforcement. Measures may include implementing stricter punishments under the NDPS Act, spreading awareness about the harms of drug addiction through campaigns and NGOs, and developing educational curriculums about drug addiction and impact. Enhancing counseling services and creating more employment opportunities can also help in countering this growing threat. It’s crucial that all agencies work collectively and concertedly to tackle this problem.
