State govt committed to combatting drug menace: Sukhu at NCB conclave

“Himachal Pradesh Government is committed to combatting drug menace and had invoked PIT-NDPS Act for the first time in the state to deal strictly with drug peddlers,” said Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister, while virtually participating in a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) from Nadaun near here today. The conference was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The CM said that the number of drug peddlers arrested had increased manifold following increased surveillance and vigilance of law-enforcing agencies in the state.

The conference focused on addressing the link between drug trafficking and national security with particular attention to eight northern states and Union Territories.

The Chief Minister said that NDPS cases have risen by 340 per cent over the past decade, increasing from approximately 500 cases in 2012 to 2,200 cases in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of cases involving heroin had doubled from 29 per cent in 2020 to 50 per cent in 2024.

Sukhu said that the most troubling trend was the use of synthetic drugs which are not only more potent and addictive but also harder to control due to their chemical composition. He stressed on the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling drug trafficking, particularly in interstate border areas that have become hotspots for illegal activities.

Sukhu said that drug trafficking often overlaps with organised crime and terror funding, posing a direct threat to the nation’s sovereignty and security. He also outlined the multifaceted strategy of the state government to address the narcotics issue, blending law enforcement, public health, rehabilitation and judicial reforms.

He stressed that individuals struggling with addiction are victims of illness and should not be criminalised. “Our approach must transcend punitive measures to include robust rehabilitation frameworks,” he stated.

He said that the state legislature had amended Section 37 of the NDPS Act to close legal loopholes that allowed habitual offenders to secure bail. He added that this amendment had strengthened the legal framework, making it more stringent. He said that the state government had invoked PIT-NDPS Act which had remained unused in the past.

Sukhu said that state had confiscated illegally acquired property worth Rs 16 crore over the past three years, including Rs 9 crore in the past year alone.

The Chief Minister said, “The challenges before us are immense, but with the unwavering support of the people of Himachal Pradesh, the dedication of our law-enforcement agencies and a compassionate approach to rehabilitation, we can create a drug-free state. Together, we will protect the values of peace, harmony and security, ensuring a safer and healthier future for generations to come.”