Home Minister Amit Shah Appeals For Drug-Free India: A Plea To Safeguard The Future Of The Nation
New Delhi, 26th June 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized on Monday that the Narendra Modi government is determined to eradicate the drug menace in India and will staunchly prevent the smuggling of narcotics through the nation. In a video message commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse, Shah highlighted the home ministry’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, with encouraging outcomes already emerging.
Shah asserted, “We have made the firm decision to eliminate all forms of narcotics trade within India’s borders, as well as prevent any drugs from being smuggled through our country.” He further expressed his belief that through concerted efforts, the nation will triumph in eradicating the drug menace and accomplishing the objective of a drug-free India. With unwavering determination, he declared, “We shall steadfastly endure until we triumphantly overcome this battle against drugs.”
Shah stated that the fight against drugs has been ongoing and due to coordinated actions, narcotics valued at Rs 22,000 crore were seized between 2014 and 2022. This amount is thirty times greater than the Rs 768 crore worth of drugs seized between 2006 and 2013. Furthermore, it was observed that there has been a substantial surge in the number of cases filed against drug peddlers. The figures demonstrate a remarkable increase of 181 percent, rising from 1,257 cases recorded between 2006 and 2013 to 3,544 cases documented between 2014 and 2022. Additionally, starting from June 2022, an estimated total of 600,000 kilograms of drugs have been eradicated within the country.
Shah attributed the success against the narcotics trade primarily to the Modi government’s “whole of government” approach, wherein policies are formulated with close coordination among various government entities. He highlighted the continuous efforts of prominent organizations, particularly the Narcotics Control Bureau, in combating drugs. Shah emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with relevant organizations and state governments, is steadfast in its pursuit of a drug-free India, but acknowledged that the war against narcotics cannot be won without the active participation of the people.
To strengthen this campaign, Shah mentioned the establishment of the National Narcotics Coordination Portal (NCORD) in 2019 and the formation of the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) within the police department of every state. On this occasion, he appealed to all citizens of the country to steer clear of drugs and ensure the same for their families.
