India: UNODC presents key trends and good practices at first National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force Heads

New Delhi, India/19 April 2023: UNODC presented the latest data and trends in drug trafficking and global good practices in addressing the drug problem at thefirst National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads of Indian States and Union Territories, convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.

Inaugurated by the Indian Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Mr. Amit Shah, the conference, the conference reflected the Government of India’s focus to crack down on sale of psychotropic substances and expedite cases registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The conference was attended by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Nityanand Rai, Director General of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Mr. S.N. Pradhan and UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia, Mr. Marco Teixeira, and senior law enforcement and government officials from across India.

In his address, Mr. Shah said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is committed to build a drug-free India by 2047. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has devised a 3-point strategy--strengthening of institutional structure, coordination among all narco-agencies and comprehensive public awareness campaigns.

“Smuggling of narcotics not only impacts the economy of the country, but also compromises the national security and borders through narco- terror,” Mr. Shah added, while emphasising a “zero tolerance approach to drugs”.

ANTF Heads shared ongoing anti-drug programmes and discussed a broader roadmap to comprehensively address the drug problem. It was revealed that drugs worth Rs. 768 crore (USD 93,950,131.20) were seized between 2006-2013, which has increased by more than 25 times between 2014-2022.

A mobile app and web portal - 'Map Drugs'—was also launched at the conference, which will help in identifying and destruction of illegal farming in the country.

UNODC will build on the discussions and interventions to strengthen cooperation with the Indian Government and law enforcement agencies in developing a comprehensive strategic framework to address the drug problem.

This activity contributed to SDG 3 and SDG 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Organised by the Government of India)