Anti-Narcotics Scheme

Facts Related to Anti-Narcotic Scheme:

• India’s approach towards Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is included in Article 47 of the Indian constitution which states that the ‘State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption apart for medicinal reasons of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are harmful to health.’
• The anti-narcotic scheme is under the Ministry of Home affairs.
• It aims to resist illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances by helping states and union territories economically which are providing support in controlling inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking. 

Scheme:

• The scheme was first launched in October 2004 for a period of 5 years. It was extended twice in consecutive years.
• The major strategy of this scheme includes the reduction of both supply and demand of drugs and psychotropic substances. The supply reduction includes enforcement activities and demand reduction includes rehabilitation and de-addiction measures.
• The scheme has been extended for 3 more years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a budget of Rs. 21 crores.
• Financial help will be provided to all the anti-narcotic agencies for building up their enforcement capabilities to fight illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Financial help is also to be provided for all capacity-building activities, including the training of personnel.
• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) being the national nodal agency for drug administration will handle the requests from state governments and UTs for financial help for improving their enforcement capabilities in trading with the supply side of the drug hazard.

Analysis:

• The population of India is 1.38 billion people and it is still rising. India is growing at a fast rate. Its cultural and social values, demographics, and economy are quickly changing, and these stresses are having an impact on the people.
• Cannabis, heroin, opium, ganja, and hashish are the major used drugs in India. but, some proofs indicate that there is an increase in methamphetamine as well.
• Addiction to drugs is an important problem for many families, communities, and law enforcement. A huge number of addicts are left to be treated by their families as financial costs, available services, and lack of proper care challenge the country.
• Hence, it is necessary for the state governments and UTs to be aware of the drug-related problems in their states and UTs and direct them in a helpful manner before they presume extensive measures.

Reality:

There are nearly 40 lakh drug addicts in the country.

• Moreover, there is a serious misuse of pharmaceutical preparation like ‘buprenorphine’, codeine-based cough syrups, and painkillers like ‘proxyvon’. 
• In certain regions of the country, drug misuse became a serious social-economic problem affecting all age groups.

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. When is World Drug Day celebrated?

Answer: World drug day is celebrated on 26th June every year.

Q2. Is Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the central government?

Answer: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency. It is under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of India.

Q3. What is the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)?

Answer: The role of NCB is to assist the respective officials in foreign countries and international organizations with a vision to ease coordination and universal action for the prevention and suppression of illegal traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic materials.

Q4. Is Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) a statutory body?

Answer: NCB was not a statutory authority. It is the Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Q5. Which state in India has the highest drug consumption?

Answer: Uttar Pradesh has the highest drug consumption in India.