Fight against drug menace needs collective efforts, can’t be tackled by agencies alone: Dy Advocate General

Baramulla, Jun 3: Deputy Advocate General of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Advocate Meenakshi Salathia on Wednesday said the fight against drug menace cannot be left to law enforcement agencies alone but requires active participation from society, educational institutions, legal professionals and youth.

Addressing a gathering during a day-long seminar on Substance Abuse Among Youth: Legal Implications and Mental Health Consequences, organised at Government Degree College (Boys), Baramulla under the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign, Advocate Salathia expressed concern over the increasing involvement of young people in drug abuse and warned that the trend posed a serious threat to the future of the region. Drawing from her experience as a legal practitioner, she said cases related to narcotics were rising at the grassroots level and many youths were falling prey to addiction through seemingly harmless habits. “The menace of drugs often begins with smoking and vaping, which many consider harmless. However, these habits can become gateways to more dangerous substances,” she said. She further said that e-cigarettes and vaping products are consumed in India. Salathia said the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act makes it one of the toughest laws in the country.

“The offenders involved in commercial quantities of narcotics can face imprisonment of up to 20 years, while bail provisions under Section 37 of the Act remain highly restrictive,” she said.

She also pointed out that the law provides an opportunity for rehabilitation to first-time offenders under Section 64A, reflecting a balance between punishment and reform. “The mission is to prevent and protect. Awareness is the first step in combating this menace. Unless people understand the legal consequences and social impact of drug abuse, the problem cannot be effectively addressed,” she said. The Deputy Advocate General also underlined procedural challenges in narcotics cases, saying even minor lapses in investigations or documentation could weaken prosecutions and lead to acquittals. She stressed the importance of strict adherence to legal procedures under the NDPS Act to ensure successful convictions.

Referring to the establishment of special NDPS courts, she said dedicated courts were helping expedite trials and strengthen the legal response to narcotics-related offences. She however expressed alarm over the involvement of minors and young adults in drug abuse saying that the state’s youthful demographic made it particularly vulnerable to the drug menace. “Seventy percent of our population is youth. If the youth are targeted and destroyed, society itself suffers. We must protect this vulnerable section and prevent them from falling prey to addiction,” she added. She also cautioned students against assisting friends involved in narcotics and warned that harbouring or helping offenders could itself attract legal consequences under the NDPS Act. Advocate Salathia urged students, teachers, parents, law enforcement agencies and civil society to work together in building a drug-free society. “A completely drug-free society may seem an ideal goal, but through awareness, vigilance and collective effort, we can certainly reduce the impact of this menace and protect future generations,” she said.