New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced a crackdown on narcotics from March 31 with a three-year nationwide campaign to weed out the drug menace from the country.
Addressing the 9th Apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), Shah said that as part of the collective campaign, a working methodology for all pillars against drug abuse will be defined, targets will be set, and time-bound reviews will be conducted.
According to the date announced by the home minister, the campaign against drugs will be launched immediately after the deadline set by him to wipe out Naxalism ends on March 31.
“The challenge of the drug problem is linked more to the issue of narco-terrorism than to law and order. It is a conspiracy to destroy the country’s future generations,” Amit Shah said, adding that the health of the youth, their ability to think and perform and growing social discontent are all directly linked to the drug menace.
Amit Shah directed all departments of the Government of India to prepare a detailed roadmap up to 2029, along with a monitoring mechanism, to comprehensively address the drug problem. He stressed that success should be measured not by the number of meetings held, but by outcomes and impact on the ground.
“We must strengthen command, compliance and accountability,” he said, calling for strict action against kingpins, financiers and logistics routes of the drug trade.
Outlining the government’s policy, the Home Minister said there would be zero tolerance for those who manufacture and sell drugs, while a humane approach would be adopted towards drug users.
“The goal of a drug-free India will be achieved only through a ruthless approach to break the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for demand reduction, and a humane approach for harm reduction,” Amit Shah said.
He added that continuous awareness campaigns are essential to protect society, especially young people, from drug abuse.
Amit Shah emphasised the need to improve conviction rates by ensuring the timely filing of charge sheets and greater use of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs). He also noted that drug networks are adopting new methods of distribution and payment, and said enforcement agencies must constantly update their strategies.
