Lok Sabha Question No. 2716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Combating Drug Trafficking
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2716

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947 (SAKA)

COMBATING DRUG TRAFFICKING

†2716. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any strategy to combat drug abuse;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  curb  the  increasing prevalence of synthetic drug abuse among youth; and

(d) the efforts being made by the Government at the international level to control drug trafficking?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b) The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance formulated the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in 2012, providing  a  unified  framework  for  regulating  the  medical  and  scientific use  of  narcotic  drugs  and  psychotropic  substances  while  ensuring stringent  controls  to  prevent  their  diversion,  trafficking  and  abuse.  The policy underscores a balanced approach encompassing awareness generation,  treatment,  rehabilitation  and  social  reintegration, delivered

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2716 FOR 16.12.2025

through Government  hospitals and an extensive network of  NGOs supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It further mandates  the  institutionalization  of  regular  national  surveys  to  monitor trends in drug abuse and to guide evidence-based interventions.

- (c) The Government has taken various measures to curb the production, trafficking of synthetic drugs and to counter drug abuse, some of which are as under: -
- (i) 18 new precursor chemicals used in manufacture of synthetic drugs have been   notified in Schedule B & C of Regulation of Controlled Substances  (RCS)  Order  on  23.01.2025  taking  the  number  of  controlled substances to 45.
- (ii) List of companies to which Unique registration Number (URN) have been issued by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for precursor chemicals has been shared with all States, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) & Intelligence Bureau and  request  has  been  made  to  strictly  monitor diversion of precursor chemicals.
- (iii) Maritime  surveillance  systems  have  been  strengthened  to  prevent trafficking of drugs including synthetic drugs through coastal regions.
- (iv) India is actively participating in Global coalitions to address synthetic drugs  threats. This involves increased information sharing, joint

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2716 FOR 16.12.2025

operations and  collaborative  efforts  to  track  and  disrupt  international drug trafficking networks.

- (v) Better utilization of International Operation on NPS Incident Communication   System  (IONICS)  and  Precursor  Incident  Communication System (PICS) portals of INCB for sharing and receiving data related with Synthetic drugs and   precursors and further taking suitable actions.
- (vi) To  deter  smuggling  of  synthetic  drugs  like  methamphetamine  and MDMA, DRI and Customs filed formations keep a constant vigil and take operational measures.
- (vii) Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country. It has reached out to more-than 24.9 crore people including 8.7 crore youth and 6 crore women.

(viii)  Government  is  providing  financial  assistance  to  349  Integrated Rehabilitation Centers  for  Addicts  (IRCAs),  45  Community  based  Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers,  76  Outreach  and  Drop  In  Centers (ODICs),  154  Addiction  Treatment  Facilities  (ATFs),  139  District  Deaddiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.

- (ix) The Government has launched 1933- MANAS Helpline designed as a unified platform for citizens to report the drug-related issues via multiple communication.

- (x) A Toll-free Helpline No.14446  for de-addiction is operated  for providing primary counseling and immediate  assistance to persons seeking help.
- (xi) Memorandum  of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with Spiritual  organizations  to  support  NMBA  and  conduct  mass  awareness activities.
- (d) The Government is making various efforts at the international level to control drug trafficking, some of which are as under: -
- (i) Director  General  Level  Talks/  Bilateral  talks  are  organized  with neighboring  and  other  countries  such  as  Myanmar,  Iran,  Bangladesh, Indonesia,  Singapore,  Afghanistan,  Sri  Lanka,  etc.  to  resolve  various issues on drug trafficking having international implications.
- (ii) As  a  part  of  international  co-operation,  India  has  signed  Bilateral Agreements  with  27  countries,  Memorandum  of  Understanding  with  19 countries for combating illicit trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic  Substances  (NDPS)  and  Chemical  Precursors  as  well  as related offences.
- (iii) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) co-ordinates with various international    organizations    such     as   South   Asian   Association   for

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2716 FOR 16.12.2025

Regional  Cooperation-  Drug  Offences  Monitoring  Desk  (SAARC-SDOMD), Brazil, Russia,   India, China,  and  South  Africa    (BRICS),  Colombo  Plan, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Senior Officials on  Drug  Matters  (ASOD),  Bay  of  Bengal  Initiative  For  Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-Operation (BIMSTEC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), etc. for sharing information and intelligence to combat trans-national drug trafficking.

(iv) NCB  takes  part  in  real-time  information  sharing  with  various  Drug Liaison Officers of other countries such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the United States of America, the National Crime Agency of the United  Kingdom,  Royal  Canadian  Mounted  Police  (RCMP)  of  Canada, Australian Federal Police (AFP) of Australia, Office Anti-Stupefiants (OFAST) of France, etc for operational and intelligence information.

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