Right parenting, healthy competition, physical activity can prevent addiction to drugs, says NCB

The day is celebrated each year to strengthen global action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. This global observance, aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. 

The UN’s theme last year was “Listen first — Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”

The UN’s 2007 World Drug Report puts the value of the illegal drug trade at $322 billion a year (Rs 474 crore). Drug trade is the one side of the related crimes. 

Most of the times, drug addicts commit crimes to pay for their drugs and this inflicts damages to their family and society.  Drug abuse causes hike in Illegal activities such as smuggling, robbery, drug dealing, theft and prostitution. A cycle of poverty, addiction, and crime is repeated. 

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, commonly referred to as the NDPS Act, is an Act of the Parliament of India that prohibits a person to cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.   The NDPS Act came into effect on 14 November 1985.  Under the provisions of the act, the Narcotics Control Bureau was set up on 17 March 1986. All the offence under the NDPS Act 1985 are cognizable, means that police can arrest the person who contravenes the Act without warrant.  

For offences involving commercial quantity no person shall be released on bail or on his own bond and shall face punishment with rigorous imprisonment for a term in between 10 to 20 years and also a fine in between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The NCB is the apex coordinating agency as well as law enforcement agency function through its 13 zones located at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Indore, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Patna.

Though NCB is the national nodal agency in illicit drug control, there are other empowered agencies also strengthen the law enforcement. The demand reduction and supply control are, however, the collective responsibility in which contribution of every noble hearted citizen is expected to Save the Nation from the engulfing menace. Right parenting, encouraging physical activities, healthy competitions and lifestyle are some of the solutions to prevent beginners get attracted to drug. Institutions also may conduct awareness programmes to wean away new comers from the influence of people who offer initial freebies and rave parties with the aim to build up customer base.