RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for ensuring a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against illegal drugs and stressed the need to dismantle the entire narcotics network. Chairing a review meeting on the narcotics scenario in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, Shah said that drugs are not just a problem of the country but a global menace and the resolution to have a drug-free India assumes significance for building a prosperous and safe India.
“We can win the battle against drugs and its trafficking through a firm commitment and comprehensive strategy. Illegal trafficking of narcotics not only ruins the life of young generations but also weakens the country’s national security. The money acquired from illicit drug business promotes terrorism, left-wing extremism and weakens the country’s economy,” the home minister stated.
The convergent strategy should involve a top-down and bottom-up approach to integrate into a wide-reaching framework. Advocating a drug-free India, the Union minister asserted that all should pledge to fulfill the resolution. He suggested that the officials should undertake scientific methods in the investigation of drug trafficking cases.
“We can be successful in the battle against illegal trafficking of narcotics by following the four principles: detection of drugs, destruction of the network, detention of the culprit and rehabilitation of the victims. The trend of drug trafficking is changing and it is moving from natural to synthetic drugs. The user of drugs is a victim while the one who engages in its trade is a criminal”, Shah said.
During the review meeting, he revealed that the percentage of use of sedatives in Chhattisgarh is 1.45, which is more than the national average and the use of cannabis (ganja) at 4.98% is also higher than the national average.
Shah also inaugurated the Raipur Zonal officer of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) at the new capital city Naya Raipur. “NCB offices play a vital role in controlling narcotics in regions under its jurisdiction. The Modi government will establish NCB in every state to strive towards eliminating the illegal drug business with the cooperation of state governments,” he added.
“Chhattisgarh shares its borders with seven states, including Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, from where drug smuggling is takes place. Chhattisgarh is also close to the Bay of Bengal and the coastal connectivity of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh creates a drug trade route,’ he said.
Drug smugglers are changing the trend and shifting from natural drugs to synthetic ones which cause maximum harm, said Shah. He said around 1,250 cases were registered from 2004-2014 and from 2014 to 2024, there was an increase by 230% in the cases registered with 4,150 inquiries.
“In the last 10 years, the performance of NCB has improved significantly and the fight against drugs has become stronger. We have succeeded in taking the fight to its logical conclusion, but a lot of work is still left to be done,” Shah said.
Shah, who is on a 3-day visit to the state, virtually inaugurated the zonal office of the Narcotics Control Bureau in Nava Raipur at the beginning of the meeting.
The zonal office will play a key role in checking the illicit drug trade not only in Chhattisgarh but also in the entire region. “We have set a target to establish NCB in every state,” he said.