The issue of drug abuse and related initiatives is a critical subject that requires immediate attention worldwide. The problem is particularly pressing in India, where the prevalence of drug addiction among youth is soaring. Kerala, one of India’s states, is using sports as a tool to counter this menacing issue, creating clubs near college campuses and hostels that not only motivate students to participate in sports but also provide awareness classes on substance abuse.
The Status of Drug Menace in India
In recent times, drug addiction has permeated rapidly among India’s youth population. This rise in drug addiction is due to India’s geographical location, sandwiched between two of the world’s largest opium-producing regions – the Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent. The Golden Triangle comprises countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos, while the Golden Crescent includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. As a result, India appears to be one of the world’s single largest opiate markets.
The World Drug Report 2022 highlighted India as the country with the fourth-largest quantity of opium seized in 2020 at 5.2 tons and the third-highest amount of morphine seized at 0.7 tons. Furthermore, the report underlined that prescription drugs and their active ingredients or ‘precursors’ for recreational use are increasing in India, the world’s largest manufacturer of generic drugs.
Initiatives to Cope with Drug Menace
Various initiatives have been undertaken on a national level to cope with the drug menace. The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), established in November 2016, alongside the reviving of the “Financial Assistance to States for Narcotics Control” scheme, are prime examples. The Seizure Information Management System (SIMS) is an e-portal created by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), aiding in the creation of a comprehensive online database of drug offenses and offenders.
Other initiatives include the National Drug Abuse Survey, conducted through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, to measure drug abuse trends in India. Project Sunrise, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, aims to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, particularly among people injecting drugs.
Several laws and campaigns like the NDPS Act, which prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing, and consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, have also been put into effect. The Indian Government announced the launch of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ or the Drug-Free India Campaign, focusing on community outreach programs.
International Treaties and Conventions
On the international front, India is a signatory to various treaties and conventions to combat drug abuse. These include the United Nations (UN) Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988), and UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000.
The Way Forward
While it is essential to stop the supply by imposing harsher penalties under the NDPS Act and improving drug enforcement, the problem also needs to be addressed from the demand side. Society must realize that drug addicts are victims and not criminals. Moreover, stigmas associated with drug use need to be reduced. Education related to drug addiction, its impact, and de-addiction should be introduced in the curriculum. Additionally, strict action from police officers and the excise and narcotics department is required to curb the problem.
Services like proper counseling can provide further assistance in dealing with this issue. Unless assertive steps to control the drug menace are undertaken, the future generations of the country will continue to suffer the calamitous effects of this debilitating addiction.
