Drug policy of India

Drug Policy of India refers to the laws and regulations that govern the manufacture, sale, and use of drugs and substances in India. The policy is primarily regulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

History

The drug policy in India has evolved over the years, with the first significant legislation being the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1930. This was followed by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in 1985, which is the primary law for the control of drug abuse in India.

Legislation

The NDPS Act prohibits the cultivation, production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transportation, warehousing, consumption, and inter-state movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Act also provides for the forfeiture of property derived from, or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Enforcement

Enforcement of the drug policy is carried out by various agencies at both the central and state levels. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the apex coordinating agency for drug law enforcement. At the state level, enforcement is carried out by the respective state police departments.

Drug Control Strategy

The drug control strategy in India is based on a balanced approach of supply reduction and demand reduction. Supply reduction involves measures to reduce the availability of drugs, while demand reduction involves measures to reduce the demand for drugs through education, counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Criticism and Controversy

The drug policy of India has been criticized for its focus on criminalization and punishment, rather than on harm reduction and treatment. Critics argue that the policy has failed to address the root causes of drug abuse and has instead resulted in the over-incarceration of drug users.

See Also

• Drug policy
• Drug policy of the United States
• Drug policy of the Netherlands