The relationship between drugs and crime since the inception of drug abuse has been complimentary in nature; for a better understanding of this relationship, a universal definition of drugs should be established. Drugs are vital to the medical industry and help patients in crucial situations. Still, if not used with consultation and medical advice, they can lead to severe complications and other harmful effects that can ruin the life of an individual. Some drugs are addictive in nature and can cause hallucinations, insomnia, respiratory problems, etc. Governments across the globe have banned these substances and developed strict laws involving fines and prison sentences for trading, selling, and consuming any such substances.
People mainly refer to drugs as addictive substances that can affect the life of an individual in the short and long term. Since the discovery of such substances, the primary users have been young, unemployed or individuals from the lower income group. The usage of such products has become a global issue and a sociological problem in many countries, as certain drugs might cause violent behaviour in society and lead to criminal activities for money. Their addictive nature and the effect of intoxication make the user resort to crime as their urge is so strong and makes an individual rely on them for basic survival. An international market for drugs exists involving famous drug cartels that transport drugs through illegal means from one country to another; the famous Pablo Escobar transported various drugs from Columbia to different parts of the world, and the Indian drug lord Dawdood Ibrahim is still believed to continue his operations in Mumbai of drug transportation. Since these drugs are illegal and due to lack of standardisation, the public can be exploited by adulteration of any foreign substance and might harm the consumer more than intended or believed. No legislation means no taxes are paid for such amounts earned via illegal methods, and the revenue generated contributes to the unaccounted sector of the economy.
Despite various bans in today’s day and age, drugs are still growing widely and catering to a significant chunk of the domestic and international population. The youth has easy access to it, and the UN recently released a statistic revealing that more than 13% of illegal drug users in India are under the age of eighteen. One of the main reasons for such drastic consumption in the youth is to fit in the social circle due to peer pressure. The development of the youth is a prime motive of the state, and the use of addictive substances that affect their growth and development shall not be available with such ease.
Drugs and criminal activities have always been complementary towards each other, and the state has consistently implemented legislation against the use of such substances. The need for legislation arose after the first study in the pre-independence era called the Indian Hemps Drug Commission Report in 1894. The extent of this study was limited to the cultivation, sale and other effects of the hemp plant, with further actions to develop legislation prohibiting its use.
In the case of Raju vs State of Kerela, the High Court penalised the accused with a prison sentence of ten years for a meagre 100 grams of Heroin. The Supreme Court overturned the decision as it was doubtful that such a small quantity could be used commercially, and the sentence was reduced to one year. However, in the case of Budhiyarin Bai vs The State Of Chhattisgarh, the accused was sentenced to twelve years of imprisonment for having possession of more than twenty-one kilograms of Ganja.
In response to the present legislation and reforms that have taken place since the inception of the Narcotics Control Bureau, the approach by all three pillars of administration- the judiciary, legislature and executive towards substance abuse has been favourable. The development of new laws, specialised agencies, and severe punishments for the use and abuse has increased seizures of illegally trafficked drugs across the country and reduced cross-border import and export.
Sociological problems such as lack of education, poverty and unemployment, along with low levels of infrastructure development, have increased drug abuse among the economically weaker sections of the society. A study conducted in Delhi’s Seemapuri district observed that around 80% of the children are drug addicts 9 . Tackling sociological problems in such circumstances will help more than implementing legislation. India is located between two massive opium regions, the Golden Cresent and the Golden Triangle. The central and the state governments need to collaborate in bordering states to prevent the illicit transportation of illegal drugs. The inception of a new authority responsible for such prevention may reduce such illegal imports.
