HM Amit Shah Urges Intensified Nationwide Drive To Eradicate Drug Menace

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged states and Union Territories to strengthen their fight against drug abuse, warning that unchecked substance misuse threatens India’s youth and future generations.

He delivers the message while inaugurating the two-day 2nd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads of States and Union Territories in New Delhi.

Addressing the conference organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Home Minister asks enforcement officials to dedicate at least 12 days annually to tackling the drug menace.

He emphasises that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government remains determined to eliminate narcotics from the country, outlining the vision of ‘Drug-Free India @ 2047’.

HM Amit Shah notes that between 2014 and 2025, authorities have arrested over 69.61 lakh people connected to the drug trade.

He contrasts the seizure of 26 lakh kg of contraband between 2004 and 2013 with a four-fold rise to one crore kg in the same period since 2014, underscoring a stepped-up nationwide effort.

Technology to Support Enforcement

The Home Minister calls on ANTF Heads to deploy drones and advanced technology to survey and eradicate illegal cannabis cultivation within one month of sowing.

He highlights the establishment of coordination mechanisms across all administrative levels and the sharing of data as key factors in the successes achieved so far.

Representatives from all 36 states and Union Territories, along with stakeholders from various government departments, are attending the conference.

Under the theme ‘United Resolve, Shared Responsibility’, the event reviews progress and formulates a roadmap for a drug-free India, with deliberations on supply and demand reduction, harm reduction, and the national security implications of the narcotics trade.

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