Context:

=> Narcotics Control Bureau Director-General SN Pradhan talked about the alarmingly growing magnitude of drug trafficking in the Northeast during a speech at DGP conference hall in Guwahati.

War against drugs:

=> Assam police has started anti narcotics drive in Assam.

=> This has been named "the war against drugs".

=> The police have registered 264 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and arrested 441 people.

=> Narcotics Control Bureau Director-General said while hundreds of small-time drug peddlers have been arrested in recent months, the authorities have been unable to nab the kingpins of smuggling racket.

=> Given the deep-rooted nature of this racket, police alone will not be able to bring things under control.

=> A pragmatic approach to counter the drug menace will also require better cooperation and coordination among police and intelligence agencies like IB and Narcotics Control Bureau.

Drug trafficking in India:

=> Two regions in India are most vulnerable to drug trafficking and drugs abuse. They are-

• Border districts of Punjab and Rajasthan with Pakistan- due to proximity with Golden Crescent.
• Northeast states

=> Due to proximity with Golden Triangle.

Golden Triangle:

=> The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.

=> It is a notorious region for growing opium.

=> Northeast proximity to Golden Triangle allows drugs smuggling to Northeast states.

=> Porous border of India and Myanmar allows drugs smugglers to enter into North Eastern states of India.

Golden Crescent:

=> The Golden Crescent is located in the contiguous region of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran .

=> It is a notorious region for growing opium.

=> This is the world's leading illicit opium producing region .

=> Afghanistan produces more than 90% of the illicit opium produced in the region.

Impact of Drug abuse:

Negative impact of drug abuse can be categorised in following heads-

1. Economic- Drug abuse leads to physical, psychological, moral and intellectual decay. This means wastage of economic potential of young generation.

2. Security issues- Drug abuse leads to crimes like theft, eve- teasing, group clashes, assault and impulsive murders. Drug trafficking is major source of finance for terrorism.

3. Social issues- Women in India face greater problems from drug abuse. The consequences include domestic violence and infection with HIV, as well as the financial burden.

4. Health- Increase in incidences of HIV, hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis due to addiction

Solutions:

There is a need to adopt multi dimensional approach to solve the problem of drug abuse. Different solutions can be-

1. Society based Solutions:- Awareness campaign in society through media and different approaches for awaring families, school children and daily wage workers can be adopted. Help of NGOs can also be availed for deaddiction purpose.

2. Legal Measures: The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, were enacted with stringent provisions to curb this menace. The Act envisages a minimum term of 10 years imprisonment extendable to 20 years and fine of Rs. 1 lakh extendable up to Rs. 2 lakhs for the person who sells or consumes drugs. There is need to implement the law effectively.

3. International effort:- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was established in 1997 to prevent drug abuse. India should coordinate effectively with this organization to curb drug abuse.