Aiming for Drug-Free India by 2029, Shah Outlines Roadmap Based on Four Pillars, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a three-year roadmap aiming for a drug-free India by 2029.
• The initiative is considered the country's biggest national fight after eradicating Naxalism.
• A four-tier NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) mechanism was established to enhance coordination.
• The strategy focuses on three outcomes: supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction.
• The roadmap is based on four pillars: intelligence-based enforcement, precursor control, demand/harm reduction, and capacity building.
• Drug seizures increased significantly from 26 lakh kg (2004-2014) to over 1.19 crore kg (2014-2026).

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Detailed Insights:

• Drug trafficking is identified as a crime that destroys future generations and funds terrorism through "dirty money".
• The government's approach to narcotics control shifted post-2014, making it a national security priority.
• Enforcement efforts transformed from being seizure-centric to network-centric, targeting kingpins and entire supply chains.
• Dedicated anti-narcotics task forces have been formed in all states and Union Territories to integrate local police with the national strategy.
• The period from 2026 to 2029 will be a mission-mode phase with defined goals, timelines, and accountability for ministries.
• The roadmap emphasizes controlling precursor and synthetic drugs, which are essential for illicit drug manufacturing.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre): A multi-tier coordination mechanism established to streamline efforts against drug trafficking across various agencies.
• Narco-terrorism: The illicit trade of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances used to finance terrorist activities.
• Precursor chemicals: Substances that are used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.