The Menace Of Drugs In India
Author: LawSphereX
Category: General Law
Published:
Updated:
THE MENACE OF DRUGS IN INDIA
B Bhuvaneswari, B.Com. LL.B. (Hons.), Sree Narayana Law College Poothotta,
Ernakulam, Kerala "Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your selfrespect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem." – Kurt Cobain
ABSTRACT
It is with this intention that this article is written in order to expound the twofold nature of drugs – their centrality in medicine and the legal and regulatory structure on their abuse under Indian law. It investigates the therapeutic effects of pharmaceutical drugs and how these drugs are of utmost importance in the treatment and control of different diseases. Simultaneously, the article unravels the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 with a view of stopping drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking. The role of the key regulating bodies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is discussed, revealing the mechanisms and methods of enforcement as well as control.
In addition, the article reviews government campaigns and awareness campaigns conducted against substance abuse and the responsible utilization of medicinal drugs. This article attempts to strike a balance between the medical need of drugs and the compulsion of legal and social control.
1. INTRODUCTION
Drug abuse is one of the most urgent socio-legal problems that modern India is facing1. Misuse and illegal transfer of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances have wider ramifications beyond an individual's health and general public’s safety, but the national security and the very socio-economic texture of the country is at stake. In spite of the existence of an allencompassing legislation in the shape of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,
1985 (NDPS Act), the problem has only ballooned, requiring a reinterpretation of the legal,
historical, and social aspects of this issue. Drugs could be medicinal as well as harmful. There are such substances, like morphine, codeine, or diazepam, that become invaluable to medicine when being used by prescription. However, in Non-Medical or recreational use, there is physical dependence, mental deterioration, and in worst cases, Permanent Damage/Death. The youth is especially vulnerable, prone to peer pressure, or inquisitiveness or mental stress. Research has indicated that substance abuse among Indian teenagers is increasing at devastating levels, however, especially in the urban and semi-urban setting. In Kerala, the increase in cases of the drug has become a matter of great concern, especially the drug cases of the synthetic nature of them which include LSD, MDMA and methamphetamine.
Drug availability through dark web sites, couriers and street-level peddlers has made enforcement even more problematic. The communal literacy rate within the state is very high; however, this has not really translated into increased public awareness on situations where drug misuse puts people at risk hence the necessity of better preventive measures.
2. ROLE OF DRUGS IN MEDICAL FIELD
Drugs are products that are utilized in making medical diagnoses, prevention, treating or curing ailments. They can be extracted from plants and animals or could be synthesized in laboratories. Medical drugs can be grouped into several categories, such as the analgesic drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, and anesthetic drugs, chemotherapeutic and vaccines, which have specific therapeutic effects.
1 Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Report on Drug Abuse 15 (2019), available at
https://socialjustice.gov.in/report-drug-abuse.
2.1. MAJOR USES OF DRUGS IN MEDICINE
1. Treatment and Management of Diseases
Drugs are invaluable in the cure of various diseases. Antibiotics such as penicillin have considerably reduced the mortality rates since they are used to contain bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs have proved very important in management of diseases like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and most recently COVID- 19. On the same note, antidiabetic drugs aid millions of people to live with the condition, just like antihypertensive medicines control high blood pressure to avoid severe conditions such as strokes and heart attacks.
2. Pain Relief
Analgesic drugs (painkillers) are among the most commonly used drugs in the medical field2. From over the counter drugs such as paracetamol to stronger opioids such as morphine these drugs are used to alleviate acute, as well as chronic pain. In the situations of post-surgical recovery or palliative care of terminal diseases, pain management significantly improves patients’ quality of life.
3. Anesthesia in Surgery
The finding and creation of anesthetic drugs have transformed procedures in surgical operations. General anesthetics cause people to be unconscious during massive surgeries, while local anesthetics are used to numb certain parts of the body used for minor procedures. This means that patients receive surgeries without suffering pain or agony, which leads to medical advancements, which were unimaginable before.
4. Mental Health Treatment
Psychiatric form of treatment involving antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics is a crucial component in the maintenance of mental health diseases. These drugs allow millions of people to have stable and productive lives because such conditions as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder are controlled. 2 World Health Organization, Pain Management Guidelines 10 (2018), available at https://www.who.int/painmanagement-guidelines.
5. Vaccination and Immunization
Vaccines, a category of drugs, act to trigger the body’s immune system to provide defense against the diseases of an infectious nature. Successful vaccination programs have managed to eradicate diseases, like smallpox and also significantly minimized the rates of illness such as polio, measles and most recently COVID-19.
6. Cancer Treatment
The chemotherapy drugs are used to kill or slow down the proliferation of cancer cells. While the drugs are accompanied by severe side effects in most cases, they are still one of the prevalent forms of treatment of various types of cancers, highly increasing the survivability rates when applied correctly.
2.2. CHALLENGES AND CONSIDERATIONS
Although the benefits of drugs in the medical field are immense, there is a need to regulate their usage in a proper way. Challenges include antibiotic resistance, side effects, dependency, and drug abuse call for a responsible prescribing and consuming of the pharmaceuticals3. Besides, there is an upsurge of counterfeit and substandard drugs especially in third world countries which are a huge danger to public health. The discipline of pharmacology is dynamic and dynamic in its nature to answer these challenges and change its approaches by putting a stronger focus on developing safer, more effective drugs and personalized medicine methodologies to personalize treatments for certain patients.
3. ILLEGAL EXPORT IMPORT CIRCULATION OF DRUGS
Even though the merits of the drugs in the medical field are overwhelming, their use has to be controlled. Some of the issues which include drug resistance (especially the case of antibiotic resistance), the side effects, dependency, and abuse point out the necessity of responsible prescription and consumption. Furthermore, the increased spreads of counterfeit and
3 National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse 5 (2020), available at
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/prescription-drug-abuse.
substandard drugs, especially in developing countries leads to a serious threat to public health. The illegal trade of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances continues to pose a significant challenge for India with serious consequences for the public health, national security, and interstate relations. Situated closer to the “Golden Crescent” of countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) and to the “Golden Triangle” of countries (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), India is exposed to both flows of illegal drugs – import and export. Due to its extensive coast lines, porous borders with neighboring nations and strategic location, India is a major transit point for the international drug trade. Drugs such as heroin are chiefly smuggled into India from Afghanistan mainly through Pakistan after which it is consumed locally or smuggled further to other nations.
The same can be said about smuggling of synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine into India across northeastern borders with Myanmar. Seizures in the recent past, including the interception of over 6,000 kg of methamphetamine, worth more than $4. 25 billion, exported from Myanmar, bring to light the growing sophistication of traffickers who now use such technology as satellite internet (e. g. , Starlink devices) to guide and organize their trafficking. India is not only a destination but also an exporter of precursor chemicals4 used in creating synthetic drugs like fentanyl. In a significant case, executives of an Indian Pharmaceutical company namely Vasudha Pharma Chem Limited were indicted in exporting the fentanyl precursors illegally to the U. S and Mexico.
These chemicals are legally produced but diverted through illicit ways to be used in making illicit narcotics abroad thus bringing about the international drug crisis. The illegal export and import of narcotic drugs is strictly prohibited under Indian law. According to Section 23 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: “Whoever, in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made or condition of licence or permit granted or certificate or authorisation issued thereunder, imports into India or exports from India or tranships any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be
4 U.N. Office on Drugs & Crime, World Drug Report 50 (2021), available at
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wdr2021.html.
punishable,— (a) where the contravention involves small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both; (b) where the contravention involves quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees; (c) where the contravention involves commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees. [Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine exceeding two lakh rupee]”5.
The Indian government has taken various steps, including: ● Tightening regulations on the export of pharmaceutical ingredients ● Enhancing border surveillance and customs enforcement ● Strengthening cooperation with international bodies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) However, the enforcement is faced with big challenges due to the changing practices of traffickers, corruption as well as the exploitation of new technologies. Trafficking of illegal drugs harms the youth, leads to high crime rate, funds terrorism and tarnishes the representation of India. The drug trade proceeds in financial form are becoming more and more connected with financing insurgent and terrorist organizations. What is more, a decline in the quantities of seizures by 22% in 2024 sparks fears of increased undetected trafficking activities.
5 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, No. 61 of 1985, § 23 (India).
4. ROLE OF REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN DRUG CONTROL
Regulatory authorities refer to the government bodies that are mandated with the role of ensuring that safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs found in the market are attained. Their function plays a very important role not just in such a function as the approval of new drugs but also the monitoring of their production, distribution, sale and use. Here’s how they operate:
1. Drug Approval and Licensing:
Any new drug always has to go through clinical trials in order to be sold as safer and effective. Regulatory bodies look through the data of the trials, and they approve or deny the drug. Example: FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States. CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) in India.
2. Setting Standards for Quality:
Agencies lay down harsh regulations as to how drugs are to be produced (Good Manufacturing Practices - GMP). They visit manufacturing plants and test drug samples in order to ascertain that they are not contaminated, given wrong doses or of sub-standard quality.
3. Monitoring Post-Market Drug Safety (Pharmacovigilance):
Even with the approval, authorities monitor side effects via reporting systems.There could be a recall of a drug or its restriction in usage if found dangerous once released.
4. Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances:
Regulatory bodies monitor the production, prescription and distribution of controlled substances so as to curb their abuse. Example: India's Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) works along with CDSCO to monitor narcotic drugs under the NDPS Act.
5. Regulation of Drug Import and Export:
Agencies provide licenses for legal import/export.They coordinate with customs and law enforcing organs in order to identify and stop illegal trafficking.
6. Public Awareness and Education:
They give warnings and guidelines on the correct use of drugs. Campaigns are mounted against antibiotic resistance and self medication and drug abuse.
7. Collaboration with International Bodies:
Authorities work with WHO, UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), INTERPOL to exchange information and strategies against illegal flow of drugs.
8. Ethical Oversight in Clinical Trials:
They regulate ethical matters when conducting drug testing, guaranteeing rights, safety, and informed consent of the participants. Key Regulatory Authorities Worldwide: FDA (USA) — Food and Drug Administration. EMA (EU) — European Medicines Agency. CDSCO (India) — Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. MHRA (UK) — Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. TGA (Australia) — Therapeutic Goods Administration. WHO (Global) — World Health Organization (sets international health standards). In India, the regulatory framework is further strengthened by legal provisions such as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
5. NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT 1985
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) can be considered as a cornerstone of legislation in India when it comes to handling complex topics of drug trafficking, substance abuse, and their resulting socio-economic effects. It demonstrates India’s willingness and determination to honor their international duties without any harm to the citizens from the deleterious effects of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985 is a piece of work in India, which governs the operation linked with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Currently the NDPS Act has about 83 sections with five chapters, these sections have been amended a number of times especially in 1988, 2001 and 2014.
5.1. BACKGROUND
The Indian way of dealing with narcotic control, prior to the introduction of the NDPS Act, is a haphazard assemblage of old colonial laws, such as the Opium Act of 1857, the Opium Act of 1878, and the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1930. These laws were disjointed in nature, had poor enforcement mechanisms and too little for coping with the escalating threats presented by drug cartels and trafficking gangs. The world turf was also changing. International conventions especially the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988 pressurized countries to mount stringent domestic measures of control. India as a signatory to these treaties had been bound to enact a wide-ranging national legislation.
Therefore, the NDPS Act was stated in 1985 with the primary aim of integrating and supporting the existing laws and having strong control over the narcotic and psychotropic substances.
5.2. KEY FEATURES OF THE NDPS ACT
The NDPS Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation addressing all sections of handling
narcotic and psychotropic substances from production to consumption.6 Its principal features include:
1. Prohibition of Narcotic Activities
The Act prohibits the production and sale, purchase, possession, utilization, consumption, import, export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances except for purposes of medical use and scientific research in which case the competent authorities should license the same.
2. Categorization Based on Quantity
Punishments under the Act vary according to the quantity of drugs involved: Small quantity: Lesser punishment. More than small but less than commercial quantity: Moderate punishment. Commercial quantity: Stringent punishment, including long-term imprisonment and heavy fines. This graded punishment structure attempts to distinguish casual users from professional traffickers, although in practice this distinction is sometimes blurred.
3. Stringent Penalties
The Act prescribes harsh penalties including an imprisonment of 6 months, 20 years among others based on the level of offense. The Act also makes provisions for death penalty in cases of repeat offenders or in serious cases that are provided in section 31A.
4. Presumption of Guilt
Presumption of a culpable mental state is one of the issued features of the NDPS Act. The moment possession of illicit substances is made, the burden shifts to the accused to prove innocence, a very huge shift from general criminal law where the burden is ordinarily on the
6 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, No. 61 of 1985, § 2 (India), available at
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/18974/1/narcotic-drugs-and-psychotropic-substances-act- 1985.pdf.
prosecution.
5. Asset Seizure and Forfeiture
The Act gives powers to trace, seize and forfeit properties suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking. This provision is intended to destroy the economic basis of the drug cartels and syndicates.
6. Institutional Framework
The Act resulted in the creation of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in 1986. The NCB is India’s apex coordinating bureau which is in charge of fighting drug trafficking and abuse at domestic and international levels.
7. Focus on Rehabilitation
To the extent that addiction is a health problem as well as a criminal one, the Act makes inclusion for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Courts are empowered to divert addicts into de-addiction programs instead of granting imprisonment a progressive but a poorly used step.
5.3. CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE
Almost four decades after it was established, the NDPS Act is very relevant in the current times. The drug trafficking networks have transformed themselves and become more sophisticated and internationalized. The geographical location of India, abutting “the Golden Crescent” (Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) and ” the Golden Triangle “ (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), makes it particularly vulnerable to penetration of smuggling activities of drugs.
5.4. THE KERALA CONTEXT
Kerala, endowed with its vast stretch of coastline and where international migration levels are also high has become both a transit point and consumer market for the narcotics. Statistics in recent years attest to the alarming increase of drug cases, upsurge in the usage of synthetic drugs among the youth. Schools and collages have experienced increased concern with regard to students being exposed to such substances as MDMA, LSD, and cannabis derivatives.
Multitudes of operations by the state government in collaboration with such central agencies such as the NCB, have been conducted with an aim to reduce drug trafficking. Examples of such concentrated campaigns that have been used in the past include campaign such as “Yodhavu” (War Against Drugs) which have been employed to create awareness and demand in the enforcement of the law.
5.5 CRITICISMS
Despite its strengths, the NDPS Act has faced significant criticism: ● Overcriminalization: Minor offenders and addicts often face the same harsh treatment as professional traffickers. ● Human Rights Concerns: Stringent bail provisions and reversal of burden of proof have raised concerns about the violation of fundamental rights. ● Need for Decriminalization: The calls for the treatment of drug addiction as a health issue and not just a criminal one are on the rise with an added clamor for decriminalization of small possession for personal use. These issues have been noted by the courts in the recent past. The Indian Supreme Court and several High Courts have sometimes given a more humane construction to the Act, allowing bail in trivial cases, and prioritizing the addict’s rehabilitation.
Furthermore, on the global scale, there is a tendency to reconsider drug policies in respect of making certain substances legal or decriminalize them under strict regulations. Even India is cautiously getting into the dialogue of reconsidering its hard-hitting position, especially when it comes to medical cannabis and synthetic drugs for therapeutic use. Some important sections of NDPS act are :
SECTION
IMPORTANCE
Section 27 Definitions of important terms like narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, cannabis, opium, etc. Section 88 Prohibition of certain operations like production, manufacture, possession, sale, etc. Section 159 Punishment for contravention in relation to poppy straw. Section 2010 Punishment for contravention related to cannabis plant and cannabis. Section 2111 Punishment for contravention related to manufactured drugs and preparations. Section 2212 Punishment for contravention related to psychotropic substances. Section 2313 Punishment for illegal import/export/transshipment of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Section 2715 Punishment for consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Section 36A16 Deals With special provisions relating to investigation no bail for serious offences, time limit for investigation. Section 3717 Conditions for granting bail under the NDPS Act (very strict). Section 4118 Powers to issue search warrants and authorise arrest. Section 4219 Power of entry, search, seizure and arrest without warrant or authorisation. Section 5020 Conditions under which search of persons must be conducted (e.g., right to be searched before a gazetted officer or magistrate). Section 5321 It authorizes certain officers (like those from central or state departments such as narcotics, customs, police, etc.) to have the same powers as police officers for investigating drugrelated offences.
6. NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU (NCB)
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is one of the agencies of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, formed in the year 1986 to curb the increasing activities on drug trafficking and misuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances in India23. Its establishment was consistent with the Indian initiative to implement the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, which aims at curtailing the illegal manufacturing, circulation, and trading of drugs but allows the lawful production of drugs in medicine and scientific research.
6.1. KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NCB
1. Enforcement of the NDPS Act
The NCB is tasked with enacting provisions of the NDPS enactment, so that unlawful activities are thwarted anywhere in India. It plays the role of the nodal agency in ensuring peaceful integration among the central and state law enforcement agencies such as the police and customs.
2. Combating Drug Trafficking and Abuse
The main goal of NCB is to fight against the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This covers gathering of intelligence, investigations, and interception of illegal shipment of drugs into or out of India.
3. Collaboration with International Agencies
In cooperation with international bodies such as the INTERPOL, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other drugs control agencies from other countries, the NCB participates in combating cross-border drug trafficking and global anti drugs campaigns. One of the many ways through which India collaborates with other countries can be seen through the country’s membership in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Drug Offences Monitoring Group.
23 Narcotics Control Bureau, About Us, available at https://narcoticsindia.nic.in/about-us.
4. Regulation and Licensing
NCB regulates and licenses various drug-related activities such that drugs are distributed in the fields of medical use via licensed avenues and not for illegal use.
5. Public Awareness and Advocacy
The NCB is actively involved in public sensitization campaigns, to ensure that the general public is enlightened about the effect of drug abuse. Via several media outlets, NCB highlights the significance of prevention, rehabilitation, and treatment for cases of drug addiction.
6. Training and Capacity Building
NCB conducts training for the law enforcement officers and other relevant personnel so as to equip them with the capability to deal with the drug cases appropriately. This entails training on the detection of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS), which are emerging threats to the society.
6.2. CHALLENGES FACED BY NCB
Despite its critical role, the NCB faces numerous challenges, including: ● Increase in synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) which are hard to detect. ● There is also a need for more coordination and allocation of resources between different enforcement agencies in state and national levels. ● The difficulty of drug trafficking via sophisticated technologies and systems, i.e., dark web trafficking and international smuggling networks.
7. CENTRAL DRUGS STANDARD CONTROL ORGANIZATION (CDSCO)
The main drug regulatory body on the national level in India is the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), founded under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.24 It
24 Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Functions of CDSCO, available at
https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/About-us/Functions-of-CDSCO/.
operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare maintaining the goal of having safe, effective, and quality drugs and medical devices in Indian market. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), who is the chairman of the CDSCO, has a major role in terms of regulating and monitoring drugs throughout India.
7.1. KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CDSCO
1. Regulation of Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
The job of the CDSCO is to control the importing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling of drugs in India. It guarantees that drugs are valid in terms of safety standard, quality, and efficacy for their desired use. CDSCO is also responsible for authorizing new drugs and overseeing clinical trials.
2. Approval of New Drugs and Clinical Trials
Before any new drug or medical device is coming to the market of India, it needs to pass the tough testing and approval procedures supported by CDSCO. This involves clinical trials that would be highly controlled by the said organization in order to establish safety and efficiency before allowing it for public use.
3. Monitoring of Drug Quality
CDSCO prescribes manufacturing procedures and periodical inspections to maintain quality of drugs accessible in the market. The organization does monitoring and checks the quality of drugs in the market, with specific focus on the counterfeit or substandard drugs which may endanger the public health.
4. Regulation of Medical Devices
Besides monitoring pharmaceutical products CDSCO controls the medical devices, making them safe, efficient and conforming to the industry’s requirements. This ranges from surgical tools to machines used for diagnosis.
5. Pharmacovigilance
The CDSCO has a pharmacovigilance program that monitors the safety of the drugs after
marketing. This system accumulates reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from both healthcare professionals, and the general public, and such reports are also evaluated in order to maintain the drugs used in the market as safe.
6. Collaboration with State Drug Authorities:
The CDSCO functions in partnership with the State Drug Control Authorities in all the states in India to ensure regulations are implemented and enforced uniformly. This association ensures that there are compliance of regulations in all parts of India.
7. Implementation of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO):
CDSCO is actively engaged in the enacting of Drugs Price Control Order popularly known (DPCO), which governs the price of essential medicines to make medicines accessible for the public.
7.2. CHALLENGES FACED BY CDSCO
The CDSCO also faces its own set of challenges: Counterfeit Drugs: Indeed, efforts are being made to bring the issue of fake drugs to an end in India but the issue still persists in the country, because India’s large, diverse market is challenging to control. Regulatory Gaps in Emerging Technologies: The rapid development of biotechnology and new medicines creates a challenge in the terms of establishing proper regulatory systems. Overburdened Infrastructure: With operations expanding in size and the number of drug applications and regulatory pleas continually surging, the CDSCO is regularly challenged by resource shortage.
8. GOVERNMENT
CAMPAIGN
AND
EDUCATION
INITIATIVES
AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
Although the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has stringent legal mandate for safe keeping and control of drugs in India, the government also understands that enforcing rules alone cannot help to tame the abuse of substance in India. Therefore, in addition
to legal measures, many campaigns on awareness and educations have been initiated in order to prevent drug abuse, to encourage rehabilitation and enhance community participation. Some of the major campaigns initiated by the government are as follows:
1. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan an initiative launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in August 2020 aims at establishing a drug-free India by targeting the 272 initially identified as most vulnerable districts with regards to substance abuse.25 The campaign has a three pronged plan. out-reaching to the youth and women via educational institutions and through communities mobilization, enhancing participation by the community members, and mobilizing service providers’ capacity. It is participated by volunteers, NSS (National Service Scheme) units, NYKS (Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan) members, and other civil society organisations. Awareness rallies, puppet shows, seminars and drug-free pledge ceremonies are some of the under taken initiatives in order to raise awareness, particularly among students and young adults.
2. National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR)
The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction is an all-rounded effort by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which was initiated in 2018 to address the demand aspect of drug issues by way of preventive education, treatment and rehabilitation services.26 It sponsors the skill-building projects for recovering addicts, holds de-addiction camps, and trains service providers. There is emphasis placed on vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, women and the urban poor. Educational materials, mass awareness campaigns and their peerled interventions in schools/colleges compose a great part of this program to discourage the use of drugs even before it begins.
3. Anti-Drug Awareness Campaigns by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) carries out Anti Drug Awareness campaigns throughout India
25 Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, available at
https://socialjustice.gov.in/nasha-mukt-bharat-abhiyaan (last visited May 14, 2025). 26 Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), available at https://socialjustice.gov.in/schemes/national-action-plan-for-drug-demand-reduction (last visited May 14, 2025).
at regular intervals in order to sensitize different segments of the society for the legal and health implications of drug abuse.27 Such campaigns include public rallies, social media drives, short film competitions, debate, and workshops with help from educational institutions. Another major characteristic is the celebrating of the "International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” on 26th of June every year with awareness programs. NCB also collaborates with celebrities and influencers, and through digital platforms penetrates a large number of youth by its message.
4. "Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs" Campaign
First developed by the Punjab Police and extended to other states, the “Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs” campaign tries to develop a positive lifestyle among the youth.28 It emphasizes on advocating for sports, education and community engagements as against drug abuse. The campaign employs motivational talks and workshops, marathons and sports competitions to develop the resilience against substance use. It also is associated with real-life success stories of those who recovered from addiction – real-life role models for young people and participation of educational institutions in popularizing the message.
5. Red Ribbon Clubs (RRCs)
Through the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Red Ribbon clubs are established, which are primarily predominant in colleges and universities and initially aimed at the AIDS/HIV awareness; however, they have a vital role in the prevention of drug education. 29 Using the methods of peer education, RRCs involve students in different activities, such as poster-making contests, debates, and street plays purposing to show the harms of drug use. They encourage healthy living, disciplinary practices and life skills training with a grassroots forum for youth to freely engage and learn about the aspects of substance abuse in a peerfriendly culture. 27 Narcotics Control Bureau, Awareness Programs, available at https://narcoticsindia. nic. in/awareness (last visited May 14, 2025). 28 Punjab Police, Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs Campaign, available at https://punjabpolice. gov.
in/drugfreepunjab (last visited May 14, 2025).
29 National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Red Ribbon Clubs Guidelines, available at
https://naco.gov.in/red-ribbon-clubs (last visited May 14, 2025).
9. CONCLUSION
Modern medicine is impossible without the help of drugs as it brings relief, cure, and hope to millions of people throughout the world. From management of pain and control of diseases to mental health and immunization, therapeutic effects of drugs cannot be ignored. But, the same substances that can cure can also cause harm once used maliciously or trafficked hence the reason regulation is required. India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
1985 is a cornerstone towards controlling the manufacture, distribution and abuse of narcotics
and psychotropics, harmonizing national policy to international commitments. The import, export, and sale of drugs are strictly governed by bodies such as CDSCO and NCB thus, ensuring the safety and legality of the public. Government initiatives and awareness campaigns can carry the fight against drug abuse a step further with a focus on rehabilitation, prevention and responsible use. After all, what is needed in the end is a balanced approach – increasing access to essential medicines, on the one hand, but also enacting severe controls against abuse, on the other. 30 With further advance in science and emergence of new therapies, such cooperation between the lawmakers, representatives of healthcare and representatives of society will be essential to the fact that drugs are a force for healing and not harm. 30 See generally Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, No.
61 of 1985 (India), available at https://www. indiacode. nic. in/bitstream/123456789/18974/1/narcotic-drugs-and-psychotropic-substances-act- 1985. pdf. India Code