Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
6. Do you think Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985 is more punitive than reformative in its approach in dealing with drug menace in the country? Critically comment. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
US President Joe Biden pardoned people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession on October 6, 2022. He also initiated a review on how the drug is classified. In India, cannabis is still a prohibited substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse the various issues associated with present NDPS act and suggest effective changes.
Directive word:
Critically comment – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘comment’ is prefixed, we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by stating the present stringent structure of the NDPS Act.
Body:
First, bring out the arguments that the drug users are victims addicted to it and needs institutional care than going through rigorous punishments on the same lines as that of the supplier.
Next, mention the need to sensitise the investigative agencies to understand and distinguish the different motives of the supplier and user.
Next, mention the cause-effect relation that the user and supplier has in order to maintain the illicit drug supply network and the need for some kind of fear psychosis even among the users and complete benefit of doubt to the victim has the threat of more people falling into drug addiction.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating the need for more sensitisation of the health and legal impacts of drug use and supply and also to up the institutional care of the victims.
