The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act should be made stricter to combat the problem of drugs, according to Himachal DGP SR Mardi. He argued that the act needed to be more deterrent in light of the rising drug consumption among the population.

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-29 14:32:54 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-29 16:43:43

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He cited the decline in the act's efficacy since 2001, claiming that it had led to an increase in opium consumption from 0.2% to 1.14%. In contrast, the consumption rate increased to 2.8% in Punjab, 2.6% in Haryana, and 1.7% in Himachal. Mardi had previously highlighted the need to revise the NDPS Act at a CM conference in Chandigarh. He believes that accused persons should not be granted bail easily.

He also suggested that the government must play a more proactive role in weaning people away from engaging in illegal activities. One way of doing this, he suggested, is by introducing alternative crops such as high or ultra-high-density apple cultivation and setting up industries to use cannabis as a fiber and medicine raw material.

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