Opinion | Take More Stringent Measures to Tackle Drug Addiction 

Drug peddling is emerging a huge threat which can ravage the entire scenario. It has serious repercussions. The major victim to this menace is mostly  our future generation. It is gradually increasing and is engulfing the majority of people in both rural and urban areas. From the layman’s point of view the reason behind the drug peddling is depression which has severely damaged our societies post COVID-19. The other reasons for drug peddling or sale of illegal drugs is poverty, limited opportunities for education and employment etc constitutes the major causes for drug peddling. The lack of awareness regarding the physiology and psychological cause of drug peddling, consumption and addiction. Drug peddling is ultimately fueled by the economic principle of demand and supply.
It is obviously disheartening to observe that every day we come to know via media and other agencies that at least one or two drug peddlers are being caught with drugs like codeine, corex, etc and other illegal drugs.
*who are these drug peddlers and why do they want to destroy our future generation?
Really it is a matter of great concern for all of us. Some serious steps should be initiated to stop the spread of drug menace before it is too late. There are rational human beings who are of the opinion that we(govt) must set up recreational gardens, spots for the youth to divert their attention that could be the one step towards seizing the drug menace. Some say that public libraries should be set up at Block Level so that the leisure time of Young youth should be utilized judiciously which could be another reason as well.
Drug menace is also a great threat to our beautiful state, rather we call it the “Crown of The Country”.It is affecting  the lives of many innocent youngsters.Praents should always be in touch with their kids, their companies. Strict vigil on the activities of the children will surely help in moulding the mind of the children towards the right path. Any NGOs working on this menace regarding eradication must be suitably facilitated by the government. The repercussions of drug peddlers’ addiction  is that it can have several health complications like depression, insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, hallucinations, dementia etc. The excessive use of drugs may damage liver failure, kidney damage as well. In foreign countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand etc the punishment of drug peddler and trafficking may lead to death penalty but in our country , the jail term of the drug peddler is 10 years which is not sufficient.
The drug peddlers needed to be given exemplary punishment so that others indulging in this menace can avoid the illegal trade of drugs. It is the welcome gesture of the LG Administration to even seize the property of drug peddlers. The culprits must be given the stern lesson so that others can stay away from it. Looking into the perspective of an Act, The Narcotics Drug And Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 is a central legislation to regulate production, consumption, and transportation, of such harmful substances as specified under the Act. It was enacted with the view to direct the population away from the Illicit substances that are capable of hampering the physical well being of an individual. The immediate punishment for a drug Peddler is Imprisoned for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.
Drug peddling is a major social issue. It is also one of the major  economic problems affecting both physical and mental health of an individual.The impact of drugs is realized in the workplace, family and society. It results in violence at home and gang wars in cities, increases crimes and even stresses the public health system. Drug peddling and addiction is such a serious crime which not only breaks the family harmony but also puts high economic burden on the society. It eventually leads  to unemployment, weak human resources, weak brain power, unhealthy society and increasing crime at large. We need to design a policy to prevent drug peddling and drug abuse. Drug peddling and addiction directly affects the family relationship. Family plays an important role in the life of an individual. Family members have a strong bond with each other, they support each other, face crises together, and affect the behavior and attitude of each other. Once any member becomes a drug addict the entire family is negatively affected. The joint family can play an important role in preventing drug addiction within the family.
Drug peddling and drug addiction are the two sides of a single coin. Illegal distribution, consumption, procurement etc resulted in criminal offences. Drug addiction heavily affects concentration, learning ability and performance in examinations. Education is the only medium through which society can be enlightened and enriched. The schools and colleges can create awareness, educate the students about the repercussions and control the students’ activities. Drugs and crimes go together. If the drug peddler can not manage to carry it to its exact location he may resort to any criminal offence. It develops a dependency sense. The only remedial measure to control drug peddling and drug addiction is that we have to come out, and reach out to those who are indulging in this menace. First we have to identify them.Then we can guide them amicably about the consequences of drug peddling and addiction.
The remedial measures for drug peddling is to conduct regular and extensive awareness programs on drug peddling, drug addiction and its I’ll effects. The another remedy for drug peddling is good parenting which can help to keep an eye on children and other daily activities. Drug victims should be counselled morally in view of religion. No religion on the earth teaches us to do illegal activities. The another important aspect is to conduct regular police checks for both public and private transport to deal with drug peddlers. Moreover severe punishment must be given to those involved in such crime. We feel overwhelmed with joy when we hear the news regarding the arrest of drug peddlers, but on the other hand we feel ashamed why it is happening so that too in the land of saints. May sanity prevail.