7% People in India use Drugs Illegally: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Jan 11: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today said that the use of the dark web, crypto-currency, online marketplaces, and drones continues to pose a challenge for us. 

Shah said while chairing a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today. 

The Home Minister also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.

The objective of the conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau, is to focus on tackling the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and union territories of northern India.

According to the Associated News Bureau, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the conference virtually. 

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, senior officials from the eight participating States and Union Territories, senior officers from various Union Ministries, Departments and Law Enforcement Agencies also attended the conference.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that regional conferences have played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s fight against drugs. He highlighted that in 2024, the NCB and police forces across India seized drugs valued at Rs 16,914 crore—the highest figure since independence—indicating significant progress in the campaign against this menace. 

Shah stressed the importance of timely policies, enhanced intensity, meticulous micro-planning, and consistent monitoring to address the challenges ahead. He underscored that achieving a drug-free India is crucial to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047. 

The Union Home Minister announced the launch of ‘Drug Disposal Fortnight’ dedicated to the destruction of confiscated narcotics. As part of this campaign, one lakh kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately Rs 8,600 crore will be destroyed over the next ten days, sending a powerful message to the public about the government’s commitment to eradicating drugs. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive, 360-degree “Whole of Government” approach to achieve total victory in the fight against drugs.

Shah also inaugurated the regional unit in Bhopal and dedicated the extension of the MANAS-2 helpline across 36 states and union territories. He urged all states to actively promote the MANAS app and toll-free number, emphasizing the importance of prompt, result-oriented action on every call to enhance the helpline’s credibility. 

The Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the fight against drugs has strengthened a lot in the past 10 years and it has yielded very good results. He mentioned that we are very close to success in this battle, and are moving in the right direction. 

Shah said that between 2004 and 2014, 3.63 lakh kilograms of drugs were seized, which increased sevenfold to 24 lakh kilograms in 10 years from 2014 to 2024, which is a  huge achievement. 

It is an example that the public, the courts, and the entire ecosystem, down to the grassroots level, are responding positively to our efforts. He said the value of drugs destroyed in the 10 years between 2004 and 2014 was Rs 8,150 crore, which has increased seven-fold to Rs 56,861 crore in the last 10 years. The Home Minister said that this should not be interpreted as an increase in drug usage, but rather that action is now being taken and results are being achieved. He stated that the Modi government has worked at a rapid pace to destroy drugs, uncover the networks, and bring the entire ecosystem under the grip of the law.

Amit Shah said that we have made several changes in investigations, not only exposing drugs but also uncovering the terrorism networks associated with them. The local police of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, along with central agencies, have uncovered several cases of narco-terrorism. 

He mentioned that instead of being satisfied with these successes, we need to work with even more speed and enthusiasm. 

Shah stated that the use of the dark web, crypto-currency, online marketplaces, and drones continues to pose a challenge for us. 

He mentioned that India is one of the largest producers of precursor chemicals, which is a concern in the fight against drugs. When strict measures are taken against traditional drugs, a natural diversion towards chemical drugs occurs. He added that at least 50 illegal labs have been caught across the country, which shows that due to our strict actions, the demand for drugs has increased, and they are being diverted through different channels. He emphasized that we need to stop this diversion immediately. The Home Minister urged all states to destroy illegal clandestine labs with rigor and take legal action against them with a ruthless approach.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Modi government has changed its approach against drugs since 2019. He mentioned that the Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for demand reduction, and a human approach for the victims. He also stated that we need to increase the use of PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act). He emphasized the need to strategically and cautiously expand the use of legal provisions for asset confiscation. 

Amit Shah also urged states to take proactive steps to enhance the capacity of Forensic Labs (FSL) instead of relying solely on the Centre for support.

Amit Shah stressed upon the importance of investigating drug cases using both ‘top-to-bottom’ and ‘bottom-to-top’ approaches. He highlighted that no narcotics case should be treated as an isolated incident, and investigations must continue until the entire network behind it is uncovered. He urged that each case should be seen as an opportunity to dismantle a broader network, ensuring the fight against drugs reaches its logical conclusion. 

He urged all states to hold district-level NCORD meetings, highlighting that making one district drug-free could pave the way for a drug-free nation. 

Amit Shah said that 7 per cent people in India use drugs illegally. He stated that now is the time when we can all contribute to this fight and succeed in winning it. He added that if we miss this opportunity today, there will be no chance to reverse it later. He also mentioned that we have the example of several western countries where drugs have become a serious issue, and they have no solution to it.

He mentioned that it will ruin our generations, and the country’s potential will be harmed as well. He added that no country can move ahead in the race for development, achieve success, or remain secure with its youth entangled in drug abuse.