Making India drug-free by 2047 is now the promise of every citizen: Amit Shah | India News

RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to make India drug-free will now become a promise of every citizen of the country, said the Union Home Minister. Amit Shah he said in Raipur on Sunday.
Illegal trade of narcotics is a threat to the nation, and the money from this crime is used to promote terrorism and Naxalism and weaken the country's economy, the Home Minister said.
Shah ordered a ruthless crackdown and directed officials to seize the properties of drug peddlers without hesitation. “Unless we destroy the entire network or chain, we cannot control the illegal drug trade. It is an international problem. In India, we need to create more awareness and act against it. I would say some countries have lost the battle against illegal drug trade. We need to use scientific methods while investigating,” Shah said after virtually inaugurating the regional office of the Narcotics Control Bureau in Raipur.
E-commerce platforms are used for Drug traffickingand drones are being used to transport drugs, he said, adding that Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have become transit routes for ganja smuggling. Those who consume drugs are victims of the system while those who traffic in drugs are criminals, Shah said, adding that narcotics not only destroy the lives of youth but also pose a threat to national security.
He then referred to Modi's determination to rid the country of addiction by 2047, when India celebrates 'Azadi Ka Shatabdi Samaroh', adding that coordinated efforts are needed to achieve this goal.
Shah said the trend in drug trafficking was shifting from natural to synthetic drugs, which are available in small quantities but are “more expensive and harmful than natural drugs.”
In Chhattisgarh, consumption of sedatives was reported higher than the national average of 1.45%, he said, pointing out that Chhattisgarh shares a border with seven states, which makes the challenge even greater. Chhattisgarh reported ganja consumption of over 4.9%, which is much higher than the national average of 2.8%, the home minister said, terming it a matter of concern for the state.