Recently, it has been brought to notice that the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry is suggesting a new use for the National Fund to Control Drug Abuse. The recommendation indicates that instead of merely conducting policing activities, the fund should be directed towards running de-addiction programmes. Furthermore, the proposal to decriminalise the possession of drugs, as per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, has also been forwarded to the Department of Revenue under the Finance Ministry. If accepted, offenders with small quantities of drugs for personal use can be guided towards rehabilitation rather than prosecution.
National Fund to Control Drug: An Overview
Formed in compliance with a provision of the NDPS Act, the National Fund for controlling drug abuse was initiated with a modest corpus of Rs.23 crore. According to the Act, any sale proceeds from forfeited property, grants made by individuals or institutions, and income from fund investments, are all directed towards this fund. The purpose of this fund, as mentioned in the Act, is to fight illicit trafficking, rehabilitate addicts, and prevent drug abuse.
The State of Drug Addiction in India
Drug addiction, particularly among the younger population, is quickly becoming a significant issue in India. The geographical location of India, between the two largest Opium-producing regions— Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent exacerbate the problem. As per the World Drug Report 2021, prescription drugs and their components, or ‘precursors’, are increasingly being used recreationally in India. Also, India has been linked to the shipment of drugs sold on 19 major darknet markets between 2011 and 2020.
The Rising Cases of Drug Abuse
The National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2020 report stated that 59,806 cases were lodged under the NDPS Act. Both the Social Justice Ministry and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) noted in their 2019 report that there were 3.1 crore cannabis users and 2.3 crore opioid users in India.
Other Ongoing Initiatives to Combat Drug Abuse
Several other initiatives have been put into action to tackle this issue, including the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), Seizure Information Management System (SIMS), National Drug Abuse Survey, Project Sunrise and the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ or Drug-Free India Campaign. The NDPS Act has also been amended three times since its inception.
India’s Participation in International Treaties to Fight Drug Menace
In addition to domestic efforts, India is a signatory to several international treaties aimed at combating drug abuse, including the 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.
Way Forward
Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach. Society needs to understand that drug addicts are victims, not criminals. Strict action from police officers and the excise and narcotics department is crucial. Radical political decisions like alcohol prohibition in Bihar may present a potential solution. Education on drug addiction, its impact, and de-addiction should be integrated into curriculums, and proper counselling should be provided.