Community role in making Assam drug-free

The recovery of illicit drugs with a market value of Rs. 4,000 crores in Assam over the past ten years demonstrates the success of Assam Police in their sustained efforts to make the state drugs-free. The figure, however, also lays bare the hard reality about the state being the constant target of illicit drug trafficking gangs. This implies that the guards against drug peddling and trafficking must not be lowered, as these gangs will desperately try to exploit any laxity on the part of law enforcement agencies to open new supply channels. Official data shows that Assam Police have so far received 300 pieces of information from citizens about selling, trafficking, and drug abuse on its “Drug Free Assam” mobile app since its launch in 2021. The police have recovered drugs worth Rs 2.75 crore while acting on such information. Evidently, the use of the app by citizens has remained low, which is indicative of the society not playing its role to supplement the relentless efforts of the Assam Police. Giving more publicity about the app and encouraging more and more people to use it to provide timely information to police will substantially increase recovery of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances and protect the youth from the clutches of evil drug traffickers and peddlers. Apart from displaying information about the app on billboards, wide publicity through traditional media channels as well as social media networks can help build awareness among the people about it. Some people ventilate grievances against the authorities through social media about drug trafficking and usage in their localities, alleging a lack of adequate surveillance. The huge recoveries and arrests of a large number of peddlers and traffickers speak volumes about the gangs spreading their network in the state. Anti-drug squads cannot be present at all the places, as they have to carry out smart operations based on specific intelligence. Citizens volunteering to provide information about suspicious activities and persons will help the police to achieve more success. This also requires police and NGOs to build awareness in society on the importance of using the app or other channels to provide specific information about drug peddling and use before they can get away and before more youth fall prey to their illicit business. The increase in incidents of drug addicts attacking people for looting money and other valuables has added to the challenges of police for maintenance of security in a locality to protect life and properties due to the rise in drug peddling. Increasing the frequency of Nagarik Committee meetings between police and the public needs to be explored to bridge the gap and keep reminding the citizens through these committees about intensifying neighbourhood watch against all kinds of suspicious activities. For the Assam Police, the war against drugs is tougher than perceived, as the state has boundaries with all Northeastern states besides its international borders, which makes it easier for international and interstate drug trafficking gangs to target the youth in the state and use the state as a transit route for drugs and narcotics trafficking. Improving access to drug de-addiction intervention for addicts is essential to rescue victims of drug trafficking and prevent them from again falling prey to peddlers but requires allocation of more budgetary support and funding support from voluntary organisations. Apprehension of social stigma and financial burden of de-addiction in private centres acts as a major barrier in affected households coming forward to provide information or seeking assistance in government-run de-addiction centres. Hiding drug abuse or addiction does harm to the victims. Making counselling on drug abuse more accessible will allow counsellors to build strong relationships with targeted individuals and their families and provide timely support to help them overcome challenges of stigmatisation and stereotyping before things go beyond control. The awareness drive under the flagship programme of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has certainly contributed towards raising awareness against drug abuse, but the quantum of seizure and recovery sounds a caution that there is no room for complacency. Rather, the state needs to take concerted efforts by all stakeholders for drug demand reduction at a much faster pace. It must be kept in mind that seizure and recovery of consignments and arrest of traffickers and peddlers alone cannot deter the trafficking gangs, as the profits they earn from consignments they manage to smuggle and sell are so huge that this illicit business remains lucrative for these gangs, and they recruit new peddlers to carry on with their illicit activities. The awareness against the illicit activities must spread in every single village, every locality in towns, and in all localities of Guwahati to intensify concerted efforts by police and all sections of the society. The community’s role in raising awareness on drug abuse, therefore, needs to be given a big push to capitalise on the gains made by the intensified and successful crackdown by Assam Police against drug trafficking and peddling.