International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Achieving A World Free of Drug Abuse

Posted On: 26 JUN 2024 6:45PM

Introduction

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on 26 June to bolster cooperation and action in achieving a world free of drug abuse. The theme of this year’s World Drug Day is ‘The evidence is clear: invest in prevention’.

Through Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to achieve the goal of drug free international society.

In 2024, the World Drug Day campaign recognizes that effective drug policies must be rooted in science, research, full respect for human rights, compassion, and a deep understanding of the social, economic, and health implications of drug use.

The global issue of drug abuse poses a complex challenge affecting millions worldwide. It impacts individuals battling substance use disorders and communities dealing with the fallout of drug trafficking and organized crime.

World Drug Report 2024: Key findings and patterns

As per the World Drug Report 2024 released by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the emergence of new synthetic opioids and unprecedented levels of drug supply and demand have exacerbated the global drug problem. This has resulted in increased rates of drug use disorders and environmental damage.

Notably, the number of people who use drugs has risen to 292 million in 2022, a 20 per cent increase over 10 years. Though an estimated 64 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders, only one out of every 11 individuals receive treatment. Women are particularly disadvantaged, with only one out of every 18 women with drug use disorders accessing treatment, compared to one out of every seven men.

Mission-mode: Steps taken to curb drug trafficking

In March 2023, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) highlighted multipronged efforts made by the central government to rein in the illegal drug trade.

Since 2014, the quantity of narcotics seized by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) till 2023 (June) increased by almost 100% and the cases registered against those dealing in it increased by 152%.

According to the data released by the MHA, during the period 2006 to 2013 the number of cases registered was 1,257 in number which shot up by 3 times during 2014-2023 to 3,755.

The arrests increased by 4 times from 1,363 in the 2006-13 period to 5,745 in the 2014-23 period. The quantity of seized drugs doubled during the present regime to 3.95 lakh kgs from

1.52 lakh kgs seized during 2006-13. The value of seized drugs jumped 30 times to Rs.22,000 crore from Rs.768 crore achieved in the period 2006-13.

Meanwhile, the anti-narcotics agencies also destroyed 12 lakh kgs of drugs worth Rs.12,000 crores Since 2014. Till June 2023, NCB conducted a financial investigation in 23 such cases in which property worth ₹74,75,00,531 was frozen.

Revamping the Institutional Framework

Continuous efforts have been made by the central government to strengthen institutional restructuring and legal provisions for NARCO control as well.

Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD): In the year 2019, the four (04) tier NCORD mechanism was strengthened for better cohesion and synergy between the Central and State drug law enforcement agencies

Constitution of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC): Constitution of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in 2019 to trace the various layers involved in drug trafficking and for detailed investigation of cases of major drug seizures. Till 2022, 07 State Level and 07 Central JCC meetings were held.

Restructuring of NCB cadre: Cadre restructuring of Narcotics Control Bureau was proposed, in the first phase it was proposed to create 682 posts, out of which approval has been given for the creation of 425 posts.

SIMS e-portal: SIMS (Seizure Information Management System) e-portal has been developed for trend analysis and database management of Drug Trafficking. SIMS portal is also hosted on cloud server of NIC

Disposal Of Seized Drugs: Disposal of Seized Drugs campaign is being run from June 1, 2022. On the occasion of 75 anniversary of independence, a target was set to destroy 75 thousand kg of drugs in 75 days

Special operation to prevent smuggling by sea route: About 60-70% of Narcotics drugs are smuggled into India mainly through the sea route. To curb this, a high-level dedicated task force has been created in the National Security Council Secretariat to analyze drug smuggling through sea routes

Mass Awareness Campaign

Narcotics Call Centre: NCB has been making efforts for expeditiously setting up a Narcotics Helpline viz. 'MANAS' through Digital Corporation of India. Recently the progress of this work was reviewed by the Home Secretary of India and several guidelines were issued. It is hoped that soon the MANAS helpline will be made operational for use by the public

To ensure uniformity in training courses on drug law enforcement in the country, a core module and 05 training modules developed by NCB for officers of various ranks of Central/State law enforcement.

National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

To tackle the issue of substance use, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment formulated and implemented National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme under which financial assistance is provided to:

342 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) that provide in-patient treatment to drug users along with counselling, detoxification/de-addiction, after care and re-integration into the social mainstream.
47 Community based Peer led Intervention (CPLI) programmes work with children below 18 to create awareness against drugs and teach life skills.
74 Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODICs) which provide safe and secure space with provision of screening, assessment and counselling and thereafter provide referral and linkage to treatment and rehabilitation services.
83 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Government hospitals.
53 District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) which provides all three facilities provided by IRCA, ODIC & CPLI under one roof.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)

NMBA was launched on 15th August, 2020, by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts. It has now been extended to all districts across the country.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses & schools. It further aims to reach out dependent population with the focus on counselling, treatment facilities in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and capacity building programmes for service providers.

Till now, through the various activities undertaken on- ground, more than 10.73 crore people have been sensitized on substance use including over 3.39 crore youth and 2.27 crore women. Participation of 3.29+ lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country. A strong force of 8,000+ Master Volunteers (MVs) have been identified and trained to expand the reach of the program.