Cases indicate grim situation

The revelation about the drug menace that came to the fore through the recent survey conducted by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has painted a grim picture of Jammu and Kashmir as out of eight Union Territories in the country, J&K has topped the list with over 1200 cases. The data released by the NCRB reveals that 1222 cases were registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act -1985 in different police stations of Jammu & Kashmir in 2020. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is a central legislation to regulate production, consumption and transportation of such harmful substances as specified under the Act. Of total 1222 cases registered in J&K, 289 were lodged for possession of drugs for personnel use/ consumption and 933 for drugs for trafficking. However, according to the data, 2206 cases were registered in eight Union Territories while over 50 per cent among them were lodged in J&K alone, which indicates the rising drug menace in the recently carved UT. J&K is followed by Delhi and Chandigarh where 748 and 134 cases under NDPS Act have been registered, respectively. The data reveals that only two cases were registered under the law in Ladakh Union Territory during the last year. These revelations are putting a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the people here especially the religious clerics with regard to playing their crucial role in helping the society to eradicate the menace and ensure the healthy lifestyle among the people especially the youth. We all need to stay united to put an end to the rising drug menace.