Yes, this is definitely bad news. According to the latest report of The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), India has become a major market for drug dealers. West African drug dealers and cocaine dealers are now becoming interested in India.
Europe and USA remain the top market for drug dealers consuming 200-300 tones of drugs annually. The Times of India reports: In an annual report released on Wednesday, the UN's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said West African traffickers had targeted countries in south Asia, mainly India, for cocaine trafficking while cannabis and heroin abuse remained to be high in the region. "South American cocaine is smuggled into India in small quantities where it is exchanged for South-West Asian heroin bound for Europe or North America," the report said, adding that India had become a major transit country and destination for drug trafficking for many international syndicates.
The unprotected border between Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, India has given a major rise to cross border smuggling of drugs. Various medicines that can be used as drugs such as, codeine-based syrups, benzodiazepines and buprenorphine are widely smuggled by locally organized gangs. These products are easily available in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The report says that organized criminal gangs and corruption are the two main reasons behind thriving drug business. Two years ago, India’s Narcotics Control Bureau seized a large consignment of buprenorphine injections. Later, the government started an operation to find out the people behind this business.
This is an alarming news for India. India has a large number of people living in extreme poverty. Being frustrated of life, many of these poor people take drugs. Not just the poor but the reach people also take drugs. Government alone will not be able to stop this. People also have to be aware of the bad effects of taking drugs. Only then drug taking can be stopped.
If you are interested to see the report visit the following link:
http://www.incb.org/pdf/annual-report/2007/en/annual-report-2007.pdf
Related articles:
INCB
Times of India
Financial Express
Comment Preview