Drug addiction: A different approach
A recent study draws attention to the need to decriminalise addiction and shows how a high rate of conviction under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has not led to any long-term solution
Friday, October 26, 2018
The debate on the pitfalls of incarcerating drug addicts is an old one, and a study "From Addict to Convict: The Working of the NDPS Act (1985) in Punjab", done by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, has made a strong pitch for the decriminalisation of drug use. The findings of the study prove that despite the pre-election rhetoric and campaign promise of every political party in the State the problem is far from being solved. In 2013, Punjab had the highest crime rate for drug offences across India: 42.3 per cent, or 14,564 out of a total of 34,668 cases. Captain Amarinder Singh’s promise to eradicate the problem within a month of his becoming Chief Minister is nowhere near fulfilled. (See also: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh seeks continued support and assistance of UNODC)
