Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.

India’s vulnerability

1.>Location: According to Indian investigating agencies, India is vulnerable to drug trafficking because of its location between two largest opium producing regions of the world:

• Golden Crescent in west – Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran
• Golden Triangle – Myanmar, Laos and Thailand

2.>New routes: Closing of the traditional Balkan route via Iran during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) led to the rerouting of drugs through India
3.>Existing Networks: The pre-existing network of bullion smugglers along the border region and the involvement of criminal networks in drug smuggling in the mid-1980s further facilitated the smuggling of drugs.
4.>Internal Disturbances: The outbreak of the militancy in Punjab and Kashmir since the 1980s also contributed to the cause as militants smuggled in drugs to finance their activities.
5.>Porous Borders: the existence of traditional smuggling routes and a porous border provided congenial conditions for drug trafficking, especially with Nepal and North Eastern states.
6.>Demand: Last three decades has witnessed a growing demand of drugs, especially in NE states and Punjab.

Apart frm this decreasing profitability of agriculture, lack of employment opportunities , poor quality education system etc alsl aid drug trafficking.

Steps to deal with the issue

To address the menace of drug trafficking, India has adopted a comprehensive approach of reducing supply as well as demand for narcotics and drugs. The plan has 4 key elements:

• Legislation: Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) was enacted in 1985. The act prohibits cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, export and import of all narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances except for medicinal and scientific purposes and as authorized by the government. Besides this, government also enacted Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 1988, which allows detention of persons suspected to be involved in illicit trafficking of drug
• Physical security of borders and coasts: India has erected fences along its international borders and coastal police stations have also been established. It has also strengthened surveillance and added personnel at the border.
• Cooperation with neighbors: The Bilateral agreements were signed with Afghanistan (1990), Bangladesh (2006), Bhutan (2009), Myanmar (1993), and Pakistan (2011) to counter drug trafficking.
• Co-operating with voluntary organizations: As they complement the government’s efforts by spreading awareness, as well as by assisting in de-addiction treatments and reintegration of drug dependents into the societal mainstream.

All the above measures would prove to be ineffective in the absence of de-addiction drive through social engineering and awareness campaign. Therefore, there is a strong need to embark on anti-drug campaign in the affected regions, like Punjab and the North-east.