PIB, NCB discuss Vision 2026-29 at ‘Vartalap’
Srinagar, Sept 16: The Government of India has set July 2029 as the deadline for achieving a “Drug-free India”, with a three-year roadmap focused on dismantling drug networks, targeting narco-financing and darknet trafficking, destroying clandestine laboratories and strengthening enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation measures.
The roadmap, outlined in the Vision Document 2026-2029 launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June this year, was highlighted during a ‘Vartalap’ organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) here on Wednesday.
The three-year roadmap, covering July 2026 to July 2029, is based on four pillars—intelligence- and operation-based enforcement; precursor and synthetic drug control; demand and harm reduction; and capacity building and coordination.
Its operational approach is summed up as “Detect, Disrupt and Destroy”—detecting drug sources, routes, peddlers, technology, payment channels and kingpins; disrupting transit, logistics, precursor supplies, darknet networks, hawala and narco-financing; and destroying illicit drug laboratories, illegal cultivation, cartel assets, leadership and distribution networks.
The Government has accorded special focus to dismantling clandestine drug laboratories, tracing and bringing back drug offenders and fugitives, integrating enforcement systems and achieving measurable outcomes under the roadmap.
The presentation at the ‘Vartalap’ was conducted by NCB Zonal Director for the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh region Piyush Kumar Ankit, PIB Srinagar Director Qazi Salman and Assistant Director (Media), Ministry of Home Affairs, Rajeev Kumar Rustagi.
Media representatives were briefed on the Government’s anti-drug strategy and key achievements in tackling the drug menace, including drug seizures, arrests, deep-level investigations and destruction of seized narcotics.
The Vision Document also envisages a network-centric enforcement approach to tackle the growing challenges posed by synthetic drugs and darknet-enabled trafficking. It calls for stronger action against drug trafficking networks, their finances and fugitives, alongside measures to prevent drug abuse among youth and expand access to treatment and rehabilitation.
The roadmap seeks a whole-of-government approach, with greater coordination among agencies and stronger joint capabilities from investigation and enforcement through prosecution.
The Government has also called for drug-free educational institutions, with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and educational institutions working towards the objective. Through NCC, NSS and My Bharat, lakhs of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Mitras’ are envisaged to be prepared to support awareness and prevention efforts.
The Vision Document was prepared after consultations with Central Government ministries and departments, drug law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. It provides a common framework covering supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.
The Government has described the fight against drugs as a national priority, linking the initiative with its broader objective of building a healthy and drug-free youth population as part of the vision for Viksit Bharat@2047.
The ‘Vartalap’ also sought greater public participation through media-led awareness and information dissemination on the Government’s three-year anti-drug roadmap.
