Drug problem serious threat to safety of humanity: HC

Srinagar, Jan 4: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has held that the drug problem is a serious threat to public health, safety and well-being of humanity.

A bench of Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul said this while upholding the detention under Pubic Safety Act against a person, Hilal Ahmad Dar of Kupwara.

“The drug problem is a serious threat to public health, safety and well-being of humanity. Our global society is facing serious consequences of drug abuse and it undermines the socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development,” the court said while dismissing the plea challenging the detention order issued under PSA by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir against Dar.

The Court observed that the drug problem also distorts the health and fabric of society and is considered to be the originator for petty offences as well as heinous crimes, like smuggling of arms and ammunition and money laundering.

“Involvement of various terrorist groups and syndicates in drug trafficking leads to threat to the national security and sovereignty of States by way of Narco-terrorism,” the court said

Drug trafficking and abuse, it said, has continued its significant toll on valuable human lives and productive years of many persons around the globe.

The Court underscored that with the growth and development of the world economy, the drug traffickers are also seamlessly trafficking various types of drugs from one corner to other ensuring availability of contrabands for vulnerable segments of society who fall into the trap of drug peddlers and traffickers. It said: “Due to India’s close proximity with major opium growing areas of the region, India is facing serious menace of drug trafficking and as a spill-over effect, drug abuse especially among the youth is a matter of concern for us”.

The Court noted that the consequences of drug use usually are not limited to the user and often extend to the user’s family and the greater community.

“The consequences of illicit drug use impact the entire criminal justice system, taxing resources at each stage of the arrest, adjudication, incarceration and post release supervision process”.

“It impacts productivity. It causes premature mortality, illness, injury leading to incapacitation and imprisonment all serve to directly reduce national productivity. Public financial resources expended in the areas of health care and criminal justice as a result of illegal drug trafficking and use are resources which could otherwise be available for other policy initiatives.”

The court observed that the global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide.

“From individuals struggling with substance use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex,” the court observed.