Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be launching the first-ever national toll-free helpline and email service on Thursday to empower people to report illegal narcotics activities and related issues to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The NCB is a federal anti-narcotics agency under the Union home ministry and will monitor this helpline. Citizens can report any drug-related crime and seek help regarding rehabilitation and counselling using the MANAS helpline.
This special platform is focused on tackling various issues related to drugs, such as drug trafficking, illegal buying and selling, storage, production, and unauthorised cultivation of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, as outlined by the Narcotics Control Bureau.
The helpline, known as MANAS and with the number 1933, will be unveiled during the seventh apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in Delhi on July 18. The meeting, which will be chaired by Minister Shah, will see the participation of officers from central and state anti-narcotics agencies and departments, special bureaus, and the police.
MANAS ( Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra, or Narcotics Prohibition Intelligence Centre), aims to establish a user-friendly platform for every citizen to conveniently and confidentially report drug-related matters 24/7. This initiative serves as a crucial step in combating the illegal narcotics trade and ensuring the wellbeing of the nation’s citizens.
The central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking to combat the issue of drugs, as stated in the release. The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to realise PM Modi’s vision of a drug-free India by 2047 through a three-point strategy, which includes strengthening institutional structure, enhancing coordination among all narco agencies, and conducting extensive public awareness campaigns.
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To carry out this strategy, several steps have been taken:
– Holding regular meetings with all stakeholders at every level of the four-tier system through NCORD.
– Launching a centralised NCORD Portal to share activities and best practices.
– Establishing a Joint Coordination Committee to handle operational matters of specific large cases that are linked to other crimes and have international impacts.
– Creating an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in each state/UT.
– Giving high priority to the Drug Disposal drive.
– Introducing the NIDAAN Portal for Narco offenders.
– Setting up canine squads to detect drugs.
– Strengthening forensic capabilities.
– Establishing Special NDPS Courts and Fast Track Courts.
– Implementing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) to raise awareness against drug abuse.
Drug abuse in India
Drug abuse in India is prevalent. Polydrug use is now a well-established pattern of drug misuse. To complement the effects of preferred drugs, users select a substitute from a range of drugs. According to estimates, in India, with a population of just over a billion, approximately 62.5 million people consume alcohol, 8.75 million use cannabis, two million use opiates, and 0.6 million use sedatives or hypnotics.
Prescription drug abuse
The issue of prescription drug abuse is on the rise in India. A UN report highlights that drugs are entering illicit markets through various channels, either through diversion from India’s pharmaceutical industry or smuggling from Afghanistan.
Prescription drug cocktails are up to 10 times cheaper, and often easily available at neighbourhood chemists. According to the UNODC, India produces 10 percent of the world’s pharmaceuticals. However, there’s a significant issue with the diversion of drugs with abuse potential, which are supposed to be sold only by prescription under the law.
According to a study conducted by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Substance Abuse by Children, it was found that all the children in conflict with the law were using drugs. Additionally, 95.5 percent of children staying in childcare institutions were found to be using drugs, and 93 percent of street children were consuming narcotics. The study also indicated that 88 percent of the children consumed drugs due to “peer pressure”.
The state of Punjab, located on the border, is currently grappling with a widespread drug problem. Opium, often refined into heroin or other illegal substances, has become pervasive in both rural villages and urban areas. Shockingly, schoolboys are known to consume small black balls of opium paste accompanied by tea before attending classes. Additionally, synthetic drugs have gained popularity amongst individuals who cannot afford heroin.
Punjab is home to a significant proportion of India’s youthful population, a demographic that is expected to drive the nation’s future economic growth. However, the situation in Punjab serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with a large population of young individuals. The majority of drug addicts are between the ages of 15 and 35, with many facing unemployment and grappling with unmet expectations.
Addressing this crisis is not unfamiliar territory for the Punjab government. Numerous private drug rehabilitation centres, some operated by under qualified personnel, have emerged across the state, and government hospital treatment wards have witnessed a surge in patients seeking help for drug-related issues. Three years ago, a state health official highlighted the concern in a court affidavit, cautioning that Punjab was at risk of losing an entire generation to drug abuse. Notably, Punjab accounts for approximately 60 percent of all illicit drugs seized in India.
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