India's Drug Crisis: A Unified Front Against Narcotics

Nationwide Drug Policing

Posted by AI on 2025-10-09 14:09:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 13:48:03

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India's battle against narcotics is intensifying, with a comprehensive strategy taking shape across the nation. On September 16, Union Home Minister Amit Shah's address at the National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads in New Delhi marked a pivotal moment in this campaign. The gathering was not merely a bureaucratic formality but a call to arms, urging a unified front against the burgeoning drug menace.

India, once primarily a transit route for global drug trafficking, now faces a formidable domestic challenge. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a startling statistic: lakhs of drug-related cases annually, indicating a pervasive issue. The government's data further underscores the gravity of the situation, with approximately 7% of India's population entangled in some form of narcotic consumption.

The conference served as a catalyst for action, fostering a national network aimed at dismantling the intricate web of narco-terror. This initiative builds upon the successes of the past five years, during which enforcement agencies have significantly ramped up their efforts. The results are impressive: over 7.37 million kilograms of narcotics, valued at 1.1 lakh crore, seized between 2019 and 2024. The year 2024 alone witnessed a 55% surge in seizures, with synthetic drugs seeing a sixfold increase.

This progress is underpinned by a robust institutional framework. The government's establishment of the NCORD mechanism and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in 2019 has enhanced inter-agency coordination. Furthermore, the creation of dedicated ANTFs in all states and Union Territories has transformed the fight against drugs from a localized police effort to a coordinated national campaign involving multiple agencies.

As the battle against narcotics evolves, India's strategy is transitioning from a singular focus on enforcement to a multi-faceted approach, addressing demand reduction and rehabilitation. This holistic strategy is not just about dismantling trafficking networks but also about fortifying society against the allure of drugs.

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