In September last year, the State Drugs Control
Administration (SDCA) under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, in a
surprise move, cancelled trade license of five pharmacies and suspended four
others located in various districts over sale of illegal and restricted drugs.
As per the department, it was initiated after inspecting stores across Nagaland
amid allegations of licensed pharmacies engaging in sales of restricted
narcotic drugs and psychotropic pharmaceutical products. Continuing the
crackdown on illegal drugstores in the state, the Health department, in an
order issued last weekend, cancelled the license of at least 24 retail
pharmacies in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts. It said that it would extend
the crackdown to all districts of the state in a phased manner till it is
streamlined. This is a welcomed move from the state government, and it is in
tune with its war on drugs. But as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940,
those indulging in sales of restricted items can face up to 3-5 years of
imprisonment and a fine of at least INR 1 lakh, or three times the value of the
drugs confiscated. The concerned authority should take stringent action against
the offenders as per the law of the land and set a precedent for such cases.
Public must also be sensitised about dangers associated with self-medication
and abuse of prescribed drugs.
While such measures will help curb the misuse of
pharmaceutical products by youngsters, it will prove costly to divert attention
from the bigger elephant in the room- drug smuggling across the international
borders. Well, the fight against drugs has gained momentum of late, which is
evident from the significant increase in seizure of contraband items and
arrests made over the years, thanks to heightened vigilance and surveillance by
the Nagaland Police. However, police officials have also said that drug
smuggling activities have increased in the northeast region. The Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI) updated last month that contraband drugs worth INR
355 crore was seized from the region since April 2024 (about 10 months); 36
cases filed and 70 persons arrested. This can be attributed to the region’s
proximity with Myanmar, which is part of the "Golden Triangle” (Myanmar,
Thailand, and Laos) notorious for opium production and drug trafficking
activities. This calls for the need to enhance surveillance across the 1,643-km
porous border with Myanmar, dismantle the network of drug dealers and cut the
supply. Efforts also should be made to raise awareness about the dangers of
drug abuse and its impact on one’s health, family and society. In this line,
the Education department has recently directed all schools in Nagaland to
establish PRAHARI Clubs, which is to prevent substance abuse among children.
It’s a laudable programme.
