The North News
New Delhi, December 16
India has intensified efforts to curb the production, trafficking and abuse of synthetic drugs, with the government tightening controls on chemical precursors, strengthening surveillance and expanding treatment and rehabilitation services, the Lok Sabha was told on Tuesday.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, framed in 2012, provides a unified framework to regulate the medical and scientific use of narcotic substances while preventing their diversion and misuse. The policy adopts a balanced approach, combining enforcement with awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration through government hospitals and a wide network of non-governmental organisations.
As part of regulatory measures, 18 additional precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs were notified in January 2025, taking the total number of controlled substances to 45. Details of companies issued unique registration numbers for handling such chemicals have been shared with states and central agencies to ensure strict monitoring and prevent diversion.
The government has also strengthened maritime surveillance to stop drug trafficking through coastal routes and increased vigilance by customs and revenue intelligence agencies to deter smuggling of substances such as methamphetamine and MDMA. India is participating in global coalitions to counter the synthetic drugs threat through information sharing and joint operations, while making greater use of international reporting platforms on narcotics and precursor incidents.
On the demand-reduction side, the minister said the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has been rolled out in all districts and has reached more than 249 million people, including large numbers of youth and women. Financial assistance is being provided to hundreds of rehabilitation centres, de-addiction facilities, outreach centres and community-based intervention programmes across the country. Helplines, including the 1933 MANAS platform and a toll-free de-addiction number, have been launched to provide counselling and immediate support.
International cooperation remains a key pillar of India’s strategy. Director-general level and bilateral talks are being held with neighbouring and other countries to address cross-border drug trafficking. India has signed bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding with several countries and works closely with regional and global organisations, including the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, to share intelligence and coordinate action.
According to the minister, the Narcotics Control Bureau is also engaged in real-time information exchange with law enforcement agencies in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and France to disrupt transnational drug networks.
