New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called for a technology-driven and intelligence-based offensive against drug traffickers, urging law enforcement agencies to adopt a “ruthless approach” to eliminate the drug menace while treating addicted youth with compassion.
Chairing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi, Shah said that coordinated efforts over the next three years could significantly strengthen the country’s fight against drug trafficking.
He stressed that enforcement agencies must rely on intelligence-led operations, advanced technology, and network-centric strategies to dismantle drug trafficking networks. At the same time, he clarified that the tough approach should be directed only at drug traffickers, while young people battling addiction should receive empathy, treatment, and rehabilitation.
The Home Minister urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts towards achieving the goal of a “Nasha Mukt Bharat” and called for measurable improvements over the next year so that future strategies can be refined for greater effectiveness.
During the event, Shah released the “Narcotics Control Vision Document 2026-2029”, which has been prepared after extensive consultations with various stakeholders. The document serves as a roadmap for tackling drug abuse and trafficking through coordinated measures focusing on demand reduction, supply control, and rehabilitation.
The vision document also outlines strategies to address emerging threats such as synthetic drugs and darknet-based drug trafficking while strengthening public awareness campaigns, treatment facilities, and rehabilitation services.
Shah also released the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Annual Report 2025 and inaugurated newly constructed NCB zonal offices in Jammu and Guwahati.
He urged officials to carefully study the annual report and ensure that every performance indicator improves further in the coming year.
The Home Minister also launched the Online Drug Disposal Fortnight Campaign and praised narcotics control and law enforcement agencies for destroying seized drugs worth Rs 12,525 crore in a single day.
The NCORD meeting, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Narcotics Control Bureau, brought together representatives from central ministries, state governments, and law enforcement agencies to review the country’s anti-drug strategy and strengthen coordination in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.
With inputs from IANS