Legislation, Society and Substance Use - Impact of NDPS Act, 1985

Abstract

Society can be defined as an organization of individuals who lives together and controls the behavior of the constituting members through law and customs.[1] Drugs and drug trafficking is a social and legal problem. Every civilized society irrespective of caste, creed, culture and the geographical location has been affected by the menace of substance use. During 18th century attempts by Chinese government to resist smuggling of opium into China by European powers resulted in the infamous Opium War.[2] Drug use and trafficking activities have sharply increased over the years and there has been change in the sociodemographic characteristics and type of substance use.[2-5] HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The geographical location of India makes it vulnerable to massive inflow of the dugs across the border from “Golden Crescent” comprising of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the west and in the North-Eastern side of the country is the “Golden Triangle” comprising of Burma, Laos and Thailand.[6] There were acts which tried to control the illicit trade of the narcotic drugs in India. The principal Central acts were: 1. The opium act 1857 2. The opium act 1878 3. The dangerous act, 1930 Newer drugs had come into use and these laws were not sufficient to cover them. To Control and regulate the supply of opium and other narcotic drugs, the following International Conventions were entered:Legislation, Society and Substance Use Impact of NDPS Act, 1985