New strategy to combat drug scourge, says Amit Shah

Raipur: Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday described the illegal drug trade as a global problem and said the new strategy, based on the four principles of “drug detection, destruction of the drug network, imprisonment of offenders and rehabilitation of addicts”, would effectively combat the drug scourge in the country.

Speaking at the virtual inauguration of the zonal office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Raipur, Mr Shah said drug trafficking had become a global problem and several countries had already lost the battle against the drug scourge.

“But with determination and strategy, we can successfully combat this menace. To be successful (in the fight against drug trafficking), we must apply four principles: 'drug detection, destruction of the drug network, imprisonment of the offenders and rehabilitation of the addicts,'” he said.

Mr Shah said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to make the country drug-free by 2047, the centenary of the country's independence. I believe that the solution of a drug-free India is very important to build a prosperous, safe and glorious India.”

The illegal drug trade is not only a challenge for India but a global threat, he added.

Stating that illegal drug trade in the country is seriously affecting national security, he said that drug money is being used to finance Naxalism and terrorism and that it is also weakening the country's economy.

The Union Minister referred to the central government's plans to open an NCB branch in every state to put an end to the drug scourge in collaboration with the state governments.

According to him, the trend in today's drug trade is shifting from natural to synthetic drug trafficking.

Drug investigators must use scientific methods when investigating drug trafficking cases, he said.

“We have to go top-down and bottom-up and ruthlessly dismantle the entire network. If we do not attack the network, we will not be able to achieve the goal of a drug-free India,” he said.

The Union minister said the fight against the drug scourge had intensified after the Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014.

Between 2004 and 2014, 1,250 cases of illegal drug trafficking were registered; in the last ten years, there were 4,150 cases, an increase of 230 percent.

Between 2004 and 2014, a total of 1,360 arrests were made in connection with illegal drug trafficking. In the last ten years, there were 6,300 arrests.

During the years 2004 to 2014, 1.52 lakh kg of narcotics were seized, while the drug loot increased to 5.43 lakh kg during the years 2014 to 2024.

The value of narcotics seized during 2004-14 was Rs 5,900 crore, while the value of drugs seized during 2014-2024 was Rs 22,000 crore.

“The fight against the drug scourge has been completed in the last decade thanks to an organised effort by the Modi government at the Centre. However, to win the war against the scourge, the fight needs to be transformed into a people's movement,” he added.