Government has taken various measures to address the issue of illicit narcotics trade and to improve cooperation between local police and anti-narcotics efforts. Some of which are: -

1. 1. 1. A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stake holders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in-one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.
2. 1. 2. To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up.
3. 1. 3. A dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.
4. 1. 4. Government has empowered National Investigation Agency under NDPS Act, 1985 in the year 2020 for investigation of narco-terrorism cases.
5. 1. 5. Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.
6. 1. 6. The Indian Coast Guard has been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 for making interdiction of narcotic drugs in Coastal and high seas.
7. 1. 7. A high level dedicated group has been created in National Security of Council Secretariat (NSCS) to analyze drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group- NSCS).
8. 1. 8. Narcotics Control Bureau in association with Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has created a portal called National Integrated Database About Arrested NDPS Offenders (NIDAAN).
9. 1. 9. Towards the capacity building of drug law enforcement agencies of the country, Narcotics Control Bureau is continuously imparting training to the officers of other  drug law enforcement agencies.

A National Narcotics Helpline “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochana Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as a 24x7, toll-free number - 1933 National Narcotics Call Centre. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/ problems through various mode of communications like call, SMS, Chat-bot, email & web-link. It has also been integrated with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) Helpline No.-14446. It has features like 24x7 calls via Toll-free Number, Web-Portal, email, and Mobile App under UMANG. All the information provided by the citizens on MANAS Helpline is kept confidential. In addition to this ANTF of States have been integrated with MANAS for better coordination.

Government has formulated and implemented the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) under which the Government is taking a sustained and coordinated action for arresting the problem of substance abuse among the youth across the country. This includes:

1. 1. Launching of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 identified most vulnerable  districts, later on extended to all districts of the country. So far NMBA has reached out to more than 14.07 crore people including 4.90 crore youth and 2.93 crore women.
2. 2. 350 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), 46 Community based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop in Centers (ODICs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) and 125 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are supported by the Government.
3. 3. A Toll-free Helpline No.-14446 for de-addiction is being maintained by the Government for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.
4. 4. Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with Spiritual organizations like - The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission and All World Gayatri Pariwar, to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.
5. 5. Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
6. 6. A mass pledge/oath on NMBA was conducted on 12th August, 2024 and a total of about 3+ crore people from 2+ lakh institutions participated in the nationwide pledge.
7. 7. National/Regional Conferences under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister are being held from time to time with the Hon’ble Governors/ Lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers of States/UTs, wherein effective measures to curb illegal drug peddling and trading to their respective district level are discussed.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

******

RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS/1343

(Release ID: 2101651) Visitor Counter : 602