The 13th UT Level NCORD meeting marks a significant pivot in the Union Territory’s battle against drug abuse and trafficking. With a multi-pronged strategy now taking shape, the administration seems ready to shift from reactive enforcement to proactive and systemic correction-an overdue, yet welcome, transformation. The NDPS Act, although stringent in its provisions, has seen limited success in J&K, primarily due to weak investigations, procedural lapses, and judicial delays. The emphasis on improving prosecution quality, holding investigators accountable, and expediting forensic reports addresses a long-standing bottleneck that has allowed drug traffickers to exploit legal loopholes. It is heartening to see the Chief Secretary calling out these gaps, especially the frequent submission of defective charge sheets and the alarming delay in trials.
The formation of District Monitoring Committees led by Deputy Commissioners is a notable step towards decentralising responsibility and ensuring continuous oversight. If implemented earnestly, these committees can break the inertia in pending cases and serve as pressure points for faster trials and convictions. Equally important is the call for enhanced intelligence gathering. Drug trafficking networks are fluid, often backed by cross-border support and local collusion. Strengthening surveillance in border districts, identifying repeat offenders, and understanding trafficking patterns are crucial to dismantling these operations. However, this intelligence-driven approach must also extend to cyber tracking and financial forensics to uncover deeper links between local operatives and transnational drug cartels.
The directive to crack down on unauthorised de-addiction centres and rogue chemists is another significant move. These often serve as silent enablers of addiction rather than solutions. Strict regulation and regular audits will be essential to ensure these facilities genuinely contribute to rehabilitation and not exploitation. What also stands out is the recognition of the need for inter-departmental coordination. Law enforcement alone cannot eradicate the menace. A “whole-of-government” approach involving education, health, and social welfare departments, coupled with community engagement, is imperative. The success of these measures will hinge on sustained political will, consistent monitoring, and community partnership. Without that, even the most well-crafted policies risk remaining on paper.
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