Context:
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently released its World Drug Report 2024. This report highlights escalating concerns in the international drug landscape, drawing global attention to the issue.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- What are the Highlights of the Report?
- Who are the Major Drug-Producing Regions in the World?
- What are the Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse in India?
- What are the Various Challenges for India in Drug Trafficking?
What are the Highlights of the Report?
- Global Drug Usage:
- In 2022, the number of drug users worldwide reached 292 million, showing a 20% increase over the past decade.
- Popular Drugs:
- Cannabis is the most popular drug, with 228 million users, followed by opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy.
- New Synthetic Opioids:
- The report highlights nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids more potent than fentanyl, linked to an increase in overdose deaths, especially in high-income countries.
- Treatment Gap:
- Out of 64 million people suffering from drug use disorders, only one in 11 receive treatment.
- Significant gender gap in treatment access, with only one in 18 women receiving treatment compared to one in seven men.
- Indian States with Highest FIRs:
- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Punjab have the highest number of FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in the past three years.
Who are the Major Drug-Producing Regions in the World?
- The Golden Crescent:
- Comprises Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, a major hub for opium production and distribution.
- Affects Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- The Golden Triangle:
- Located at the intersection of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, notorious for heroin production (Myanmar produces 80% of global heroin).
- Trafficking routes pass through Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and India.
What are the Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse in India?
- Economic and Social Factors:
- Individuals in lower-income groups use cheap, readily available drugs to temporarily escape harsh realities like poverty, unemployment, and poor living conditions.
- A slum rehabilitation program in Chennai reported that 70% of adult drug users cited poverty-related stress as a key factor.
- Youth and Social Influence:
- Teenagers experiment with drugs at parties to fit in or appear cool, influenced by celebrities and social media portraying drug use as fashionable.
- Organized Crime:
- Organized crime syndicates exploit legal system loopholes, such as weak border controls, to smuggle drugs.
- In 2023, a cybercrime unit uncovered a network using Instagram to advertise pharma parties in Goa, reaching over 100,000 potential attendees.
- The Border Security Force reported a 35% increase in drug seizures along the India-Pakistan border in 2023.
What are the Various Challenges for India in Drug Trafficking?
- Geopolitical and Security Challenges:
- The India-Myanmar border, characterized by rough terrain and dense forests, presents security challenges.
- Illicit drug flows through India threaten both national security and public health.
- Socioeconomic Issues:
- Poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy in the North Eastern regions contribute to local involvement in drug-related criminal activities.
- Some local tribes and residents may participate out of economic necessity or misplaced sympathy.
- Proximity to Major Drug-Producing Regions:
- The Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle regions collectively meet about 90% of the world’s drug demand.
- India’s proximity to these areas increases its exposure to drug trafficking.
- Technological Challenges:
- Recent incidents in Punjab have revealed the use of drones for cross-border drug and weapon smuggling.
- Emerging Cocaine Market:
- India has become a popular destination for cocaine, controlled by South American cartels.
- These cartels have established complex networks involving Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in countries like Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and various European nations, as well as local drug dealers and gangsters in India.
-Source: Down To Earth
