Spotlight

New Delhi, 3 April 2007

RISING DRUG TRAFFICKING IN INDIA

NEW DELHI, April 4 (INFA): The abuse of drug and trafficking in cocaine and heroine is fast increasing in South Asia, particularly in India, according to the International Narcotics Control Board.

The Ministers of the Interior of the member-States of the SAARC held a meeting in Dhaka last May to review measures taken by the SAARC member-States against drug trafficking and terrorism. They recognized the rapid spread of drugs in the region, and decided to strengthen the resources of the SAARC Secretariat in drug control.  They also decided to increase cooperation with other organizations, such as the ASEAN and the UNDOC, and to share information on drug control efforts. 

The police chiefs of SAARC member-States have agreed to work towards the establishment of a police forum, to be called SAARCPOL, that would enhance regional cooperation in the area of law enforcement, as well as to form a regional association of police chiefs.

The countries of South Asia have also continued to conduct activities against drug abuse and trafficking under the umbrella of the Drug Advisory Programme of the Colombo Plan.

The Drug Advisory Programme organized the International Conference of faith-based Organization/Islamic Scholars on Drug Policies and Strategies in Jakarta, last year. 

Participants at the Conference reaffirmed their commitment to overcoming the drug problem by strengthening the role of religious leaders in reducing demand for drugs. It was also agreed that religious principles could be incorporated into demand reduction approaches in Islamic countries in the region.

The Government of India and the UNODC launched the national awareness campaign and nationwide drug abuse prevention campaign, a nationwide drug abuse prevention campaign last year.  ----INFA

GANJA CULTIVATION IN ANDHRA

HYDERABAD, April 4 (INFA): The Andhra Pradesh police has decided to crack down on ganja cultivation in the Warangal district after getting concrete evidence about the nexus between ganja smugglers and Naxalites.

Sleuths have found out that money obtained from smuggling the heady narcotic was being used to buy weapons for Naxalites.

Authorities knew well enough that Warangal district of the State had become the ganja capital of Andhra Pradesh in the last one decade. It is said that ganja smugglers from neighbouring States visit the district regularly. ---INFA