- During the ‘Drug Disposal Fortnight’ beginning today, one lakh kilograms of narcotics worth about Rs. 8,600 crore will be destroyed
- All states should take legal action on illegal clandestine labs with ruthless approach
- Narcotics worth Rs. 16,914 crore were seized in 2024, the highest recorded since independence
- All agencies must reinforce their commitment to a drug-free India by preventing drug smuggling through the dark web, crypto-currency, and drones
- The Modi government has moved forward with a ruthless approach against the drug supply chain, a strategic approach in demand reduction, and a human approach towards the victims
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today. The Home Minister also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.
The objective of the conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau, is to focus on tackling the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and union territories of northern India.
The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the conference virtually. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, senior officials from the eight participating States and Union Territories, senior officers from various Union Ministries, Departments and Law Enforcement Agencies also attended the conference.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah emphasized that regional conferences have played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation's fight against drugs. He highlighted that in 2024, the NCB and police forces across India seized drugs valued at Rs 16,914 crore—the highest figure since independence—indicating significant progress in the campaign against this menace. Shri Shah stressed the importance of timely policies, enhanced intensity, meticulous micro-planning, and consistent monitoring to address the challenges ahead. He underscored that achieving a drug-free India is crucial to realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047. He called for unified efforts, urging both the union and state governments, along with all relevant departments, to work collaboratively with dedication and commitment to eradicate this evil. He said that we are determined to destroy the entire ecosystem of narco terror.
Shah said that the NCB should train all state government's narcotics units and prosecution teams to ensure a 100% conviction rate in drug cases. State governments must take the lead in establishing special NDPS courts so that delays in the action on registered cases do not hinder the fight against drugs. Shri Amit Shah said that 7 per cent people in India use drugs illegally. He stated that now is the time when we can all contribute to this fight and succeed in winning it. He added that if we miss this opportunity today, there will be no chance to reverse it later. He also mentioned that we have the example of several western countries where drugs have become a serious issue, and they have no solution to it.
Union Home Minister said that often, people turn to drugs in desperation and end up ruining their lives. He stated that the illegal use of drugs is not just a crime, but it also destroys generations. The Home Minister emphasized that drug abuse is a cancer that destroys the nation's generations, and we must defeat it. Shri Shah reiterated that if we fail to overcome this problem now, we may not be able to reverse the situation in future.
He mentioned that it will ruin our generations, and the country's potential will be harmed as well. He added that no country can move ahead in the race for development, achieve success, or remain secure with its youth entangled in drug abuse. The Home Minister said that everyone should join the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign with sensitivity and depth of heart and take a pledge that neither will we allow drugs to come into the country nor will we allow them to go for illegal sale anywhere outside our country and we will all work together to make India drug-free.
