Next three years crucial: Amit Shah says drug-free India by 2029
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the next three years would be crucial in determining whether drugs overpower the country or India succeeds
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the next three years would be crucial in determining whether drugs overpower the country or India succeeds in decisively defeating the narcotics trade. Chairing the 10th Apex Level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Home Minister released the Vision Document on Drug Control (2026–2029), which lays out a shared roadmap to deal with the “demand-reduction, supply-reduction and harm-reduction” aspects of the drug problem. Read Full Story Shah said that the period between 2026 and 2029 would shape the outcome of the country's fight against drugs. He also launched the NCB Annual Report 2025 and virtually inaugurated new zonal offices of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Jammu and Guwahati. In addition, Shah launched the Online Drugs Disposal Fortnight Campaign, under which more than 2,09,500 kilograms of narcotics worth over Rs 6,000 crore will be destroyed. Earlier this year, Shah had directed all central and state government departments to prepare a clear roadmap by March 31, 2026, ahead of the three-year nationwide campaign against drug abuse.
THREE YEARS WILL BE DECISIVE Shah said the fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the police or any single agency alone, but a collective battle for the entire nation. He appealed to state governments, central agencies, security forces, society, teachers, youth, religious leaders and women to actively participate in the campaign. He said that if India is to become a developed nation by 2047, it must first protect its youth from drugs. A drug-free India, therefore, is not merely a law-and-order issue but also one of national security, social stability and economic development. NARCO-TERRORISM: THE BIGGEST THREAT The Home Minister said drug trafficking is no longer just an illegal business but has evolved into narco-terrorism. He said proceeds from the drug trade are being used to finance terrorist organisations, organised crime syndicates and cross-border terror networks. He noted that India lies between the "Death Triangle" and the "Death Crescent", making it particularly vulnerable to international drug trafficking. Shah said traffickers are increasingly using advanced technologies such as drones to drop narcotics, shipping containers, the dark web, cryptocurrencies, online orders and parcel delivery services, posing fresh challenges to security agencies.
NEW VISION DOCUMENT BASED ON FOUR PILLARS The government's roadmap for 2026–2029 is built around four key pillars. Enforcement, Intelligence and Operations The objective is to identify the entire drug network through intelligence-based operations and dismantle complete drug cartels. Precursors and Synthetic Drug Control The government will not limit itself to intercepting drug consignments but will also closely monitor chemicals and manufacturing units used in the production of synthetic drugs. Demand Reduction and Rehabilitation Special emphasis will be placed on keeping young people away from drugs through awareness campaigns while strengthening treatment and rehabilitation facilities. Capacity Building, Coordination and Monitoring The focus will be on improving coordination among agencies, deploying modern technology and ensuring accountability. 'DETECT, DISRUPT AND DESTROY' STRATEGY Shah outlined the government's new anti-drug strategy: Detect, Disrupt and Destroy. He said authorities must first identify drug networks, then dismantle their financial sources, supply chains and leadership before ensuring that these networks are permanently eliminated. To achieve this, agencies will strengthen monitoring of the dark web, hawala transactions, cryptocurrency transfers, airports, ports and financial transactions.
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