{"id":155578,"date":"2024-11-22T16:45:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T11:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/?p=155578"},"modified":"2024-11-21T16:29:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T10:59:28","slug":"what-is-the-narcotic-drugs-and-psychotropic-substances-act-1985","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/social-issues\/what-is-the-narcotic-drugs-and-psychotropic-substances-act-1985","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">India has faced the problem of drug abuse for a long time. Drugs, in some form or another, were either made in the country or brought from outside and distributed to innocent people and even regular consumers. The consumption of these substances is hazardous for an individual as well as society. It impacts the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">person&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> health and well-being, indirectly leading to a stagnant society. The <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> felt the need to tackle this issue as it could create a problem on a large scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In furtherance of their commitment to tackle this issue, the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> introduced the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 1985. NDPS <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was enacted<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on September 16, 1985. As per the official act, the objective is:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To consolidate and amend the law relating to narcotic drugs;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to make stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to provide for the forfeiture of property derived from, or used in, illicit traffic<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">drugs and psychotropic substances;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to implement the provisions of the International Conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and for matters connected<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in addition to that;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To combat drug abuse and trafficking.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this article, we shall examine the historical context, key provisions, and penalties provided under the act. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This will help us gain an increased understanding of the<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> stance against drug abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brief History related to the NDPS Act<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pre-legislation<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before the enactment of the act, there were a few laws that governed the drug control and regulation in the country:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Opium Act, 1857<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Opium Act, 1878 and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, these laws were not comprehensive, and some loopholes had to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be addressed<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Due to this, there was an increase in the usage of these substances along with their trafficking. Moreover, cannabis and its derivates, such as hashish, marijuana, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">bhang<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, were legal up until 1985.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cultural Aspect<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In Hindu mythology, the use of cannabis has <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">been mentioned<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in a few sacred texts, and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it was used<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for recreation in ancient times. The leaves of cannabis, ground on mortar, led to the creation of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">bhang<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Bhang has an immense religious significance, especially among the followers of Lord Shiva. Therefore, excluding <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bhang<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">all other kinds of substances were declared<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> illegal and brought under the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">act&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ambit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In simple words, the NDPS Act criminalised the usage of the cannabis fruit and the flower but excluded the leaves, given their religious usage, as that led to the creation of <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bhang<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">International Commitments<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In furtherance of the efforts of the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to fight drug abuse, they have signed and ratified certain international conventions. The Indian <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> became signatories to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs, 1961<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">UN Convention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As India was a party to these conventions, it became integral for the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to implement a domestic act. Hence, NDPS came into effect. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Opium Act and Dangerous Drugs Act were repealed<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> after NDPS came into effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Constitutional Commitment<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Constitution of India states in Article 47 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \u2018<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In conclusion, this section shows that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">India\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> international and constitutional obligations were the primary considerations for enacting the NDPS Act.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Key Provisions<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">act&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> enactment is positive, as it was introduced with the vision of reducing the ambiguities related to drug usage and abuse. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It went on to define certain critical words, establish regulatory measures, and provide guidelines for prohibition, control, and regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Definition <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Certain <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">important<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> aspects have <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">been defined<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in Section 2 of the Act, which <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are mentioned<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Addict:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> A person having dependence on a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cannabis:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It now includes charas, ganja, or any other mixture of these two forms, or also any drink.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Essential Narcotic Drug:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Narcotic drug notified by the Central Government for medical and scientific use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Narcotic Drug:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It includes coca leaf, cannabis (hemp), opium, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">popy<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> straw and all manufactured drugs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Psychotropic Substance:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">means any substance, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt or preparation of such substance or material included in the list of psychotropic substances.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Regulatory measures<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act empowers and creates the following authorities for the effective implementation of the act:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The central <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> can take any necessary measure to prevent and combat the usage of any substance mentioned in the act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Central Government will appoint a Narcotics Commissioner and other officers. Their work is to enforce the provisions of the act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act also provides for the establishment of a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Consultative Committee. The work of this committee is to advise the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> regarding the administration of matters that come under this act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act also allows the state governments to appoint officers to enforce the act better on the state level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prohibition, Control and Regulation<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act distinctly mentions the activities that are prohibited and can attract penalties or other punishments:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act strictly prohibits the production, manufacturing, possession, selling, purchasing, transport, warehouse, usage, consumption, inter-state import, inter-state export, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">import into India, export from India, or tranship of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> These are permitted <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">only<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> if the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> authorises them. The usage, if permitted, is limited to medical or scientific purposes only.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> has the authority to regulate and permit the cultivation, production, possession, sale, manufacturing, possession, or transport of any substances mentioned in the act.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The central <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> can establish this fund to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">combat illicit trafficking;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">control the abuse of substances;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">rehabilitate <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the addicts<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">prevent drug abuse;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">create public awareness<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">support any medical necessity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Penalties under the Act\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The penalties of this act are severe and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">vary depending on the quantity of drugs involved.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The act <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">has clearly identified<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> activities that can be categorised as an offense. Further, the act divides the penalties into three categories depending on the quantity<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">small, more than small but less than commercial and commercial quantity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The penalties involve imprisonment of up to one year, fines, or both for possessing small quantities. Further, for quantities that are more than <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">small<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> but less than commercial, the penalty can be imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine. Lastly, the penalty becomes very harsh if there are commercial quantities. The offenders can be imprisoned for up to 10 years, which goes to 20 years, along with fines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Repeated offenders can face stricter penalties like huge fines and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">long<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">imprisonments<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Moreover, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the death penalty can also be given<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in extreme case<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">s. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In summary, the NDPS Act is a crucial step taken by the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to tackle the long-standing problem of drug abuse and trafficking. The <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">act&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> enactment represents a strong commitment of the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">government<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to its international obligations and also to its domestic obligation to safeguard public healt<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">h.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India has faced the problem of drug abuse for a long time. Drugs, in some form or another, were either made in the country or brought from outside and distributed to innocent people and even regular consumers. The consumption of these substances is hazardous for an individual as well as society. It impacts the person&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21867,"featured_media":155994,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12238,12275,12407,5096],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-155578","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-crime","8":"category-knowledge","9":"category-law","10":"category-social-issues"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21867"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=155578"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":155680,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155578\/revisions\/155680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155994"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=155578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=155578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mapsofindia.com\/my-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=155578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}