All mechanisms will be used to control drug abuse, trafficking: Home Minister

KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has said the government has adopted a policy of launching a campaign to initiate eliminate narcotics, taking narcotics as social challenge.

Issuing a message today on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Minister Gurung opined that all mechanisms would be used to destroy the criminal network related to trafficking and drug abuse.

He pointed out the need of cooperation and coordination of all to reduce trafficking and abuse of drugs as it is not only social evil, but also complex and cross-border organised crime weakening national security, economic losses and public health.

Home Minister Gurung mentioned, “The Ministry has put the activities of prevention, control of drug abuse and trafficking and rehabilitating drug abusers in society after their treatment in order to make drug free society. This social challenge cannot be solved by the government’s efforts alone. Therefore, I once again call the local community to take the lead and civil society and media for social partnership to head youths towards positive lifestyle.”

Meanwhile, at a programme organised at Home Ministry on this occasion, Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha clarified that activities are underway to break the chain of production, distribution and consumption of drugs.

Similarly, Inspector General of Police, Dan Bahadur Karki, presented the data that around 4,000 cases related to drug abuse and trafficking is registered and 8,000 people to this connection are arrested annually.

He shared that 5047 drug-related cases have been filed so far of the current fiscal year and 7725 Nepalis, 328 Indians and 15 others have been arrested.

Likewise, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Nepal, Narayan Dutta Poudel, underlined that drugs have emerged as multifaceted challenges linked with national security, social stability, economic prosperity and future of coming generation.

“Cross-border trafficking, involvement of organised criminal group and misuse of modern technology have been making this problem more complex. The APF Nepal is constantly active to control drug abuse and trafficking,” he argued.

As per the Nepal Drug Users Survey, number of drug abusers was 46,309 in Nepal in 2006 and it increases to around 156,000 till 2024.

On the occasion, different organization for their role to rehabilitate drug abusers in the society were honoured. A journal ‘Surakshit Jeevan’ published by the Home Ministry was also unveiled.