Himachal CM points out troubling trend of synthetic drugs

Himachal and Punjab CMs address rising drug problem, seek financial aid for special NDPS courts at national conference.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday (January 11, 2025) underscored a troubling trend towards ‘synthetic drugs’, even as his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann sought the Union government’s intervention to provide financial assistance to Punjab for setting up a special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court to check drug menace, pointing to the drug problem in Punjab impacting the socio-economic balance.

Both Chief Ministers were virtually addressing the regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The conference focused on addressing the nexus between drug trafficking and national security, with particular attention to eight northern States and Union Territories.

Mr. Sukhu said the NDPS cases have risen by 340% over the last decade, escalating from approximately 500 cases in 2012 to 2,200 cases in 2023. “Additionally, the percentage of cases involving heroin has doubled, rising from 29% in 2020 to 50% in 2024. Pointing out that there’s a troubling trend towards synthetic drugs, which are not only more potent and addictive but also harder to control due to their chemical composition, Mr. Sukhu emphasised the necessity of a comprehensive approach to tackle drug trafficking, particularly in inter-State border areas, which have become hotspots for illicit activities.

Punjab Chief Minister Mann urged the Union government to give one-time financial assistance, for 10 years to the State to create Special NDPS courts and recruitment of public prosecutors along with other supporting staff, of ₹600 crore. He said that at present, there are 35,000 NDPS cases pending for session trial as on January 1, 2025, adding that at the present rate of disposal, on average a session court takes seven years to complete the trial of pending case leaving aside all newly added cases.

Mr. Mann said that the drug problem in Punjab is impacting the socio-economic balance, leading to a significant increase in crime, domestic violence and health issues affecting not only the State but the country as a whole. He said that the narco-terror drug trade business in Punjab has links with the international cartels that smuggle drugs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries into the State.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the State has made significant progress in combating drug trafficking. He said the conviction rate in cases under the NDPS Act has increased from 48% in 2023 to 54% in 2024, reflecting the State’s enhanced efforts to address drug-related crimes.