Joint panel set up to check drug smuggling

Concerned over rise in cases of drug addiction in some states along international borders, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Friday said a joint committee comprising four central ministries has been constituted for curbing the menace of drug smuggling into India.

“The menace is <g data-gr-id="17">quit</g> prevalent in the states bordering Pakistan. <g data-gr-id="20">There</g> the number of people getting addicted to drugs is on a rise. Similar is the case in the northeastern states, particularly Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur, which are located along the international borders,” Gehlot said.

A joint committee comprising of four ministries, including Home Affairs, Health and Finance, has been constituted and it has formulated a policy and is working towards curbing the menace of smuggling drugs into the country, he told reporters here after addressing a meet here on the occasion of the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said measures were also afoot to prevent smuggling of drugs through the air route. “Our ministry had held three meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister for opening the new de-addiction centres for rehabilitating people from drug abuse in the state,” he said.

In addition to controlling of  the drug menace, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has sanctioned 28 new de-addiction centres in Punjab.  Looking at the gravity of the problem in the state, the ministry has also conducted a survey on the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse the report is expected soon.