Puyesh Kant Sharma
In the scientific age if you cannot prove it substantially, you can neither write nor talk in public. It is not only the official statistics but the existential realities of ground which need to be taken seriously by the citizens, if not solemnly by the authorities. It holds ground when the network of illegal trade and supply of narcotic drugs is encompassing, and raising a voice against it is considered as life threatening for the whistleblowers. It is pernicious when many know the truth but feel themselves reluctant to express or protest because of the lack of evidence, apathetic attitude of police and involvement of some powerful people. Here the inaction of socially responsible people are affecting the society more than the actions of the bunch of spoiled brats of society. The whole generation is made vulnerable for earning easy money and a more disturbing trend is when the teenagers are prone to narcotic drugs. At present the situation is alarming on the outskirts of Jammu and intensity of situation has risen to such an extent that our society is on the verge of losing almost a generation.
The research and invention in the field of drugs is among the greatest achievements in the progress of humankind. But when these drugs are used in different proportion and with different purpose and intention, it becomes a menace in the form of narcotic drugs. Narcotic are generally the sleep-inducing drugs which act on the brain and reduce the consciousness level to the minimum and provides momentary pleasure to the druggist. It generally includes synthetic drugs like heroin, smack, bukki and brown sugar etc. that retards mental capacity and brings physical weakness, besides social disturbances, economic turmoil and psychological impairment for many families. In the making of the Indian constitution, article 47 in directive principles provides for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicating drugs injurious to health, except for medical purposes. Besides, India is signatory to various United Nations Conventions and protocols to control narcotic drugs menace in India. However, the nexus of narcotic drugs in India is challenging the Indian State in almost every corner of the country. In this context, this nexus is spreading to the places which were earlier not under the influence of narcotic drugs or perhaps dormant of this trend. Among these places, the outskirts of Jammu region is emerging as the/Centre business of narcotic drugs which is disturbing for the locals and a challenging job for the authorities.
Narcotic drugs are growing as a powerful business in Jammu, especially in its outskirts where the laws and regulations are weak, the awareness with respect to the menace of narcotic drugs is low and chemist shops are suspected to have big bonanza by the illegal sale of such drugs. In places around Miran Sahib and Bishnah in particular, the business of narcotic drugs is said to be increasing alarmingly growth that too under the nose of police and intelligence. But it is very hard to substantiate it because no one dares to challenge the powerful people associated with it. It begins with some low-cost narcotic drugs but the dependency on drugs goes on increasing with every passing day. Injections are being injected into the body for momentary pleasures. Moreover, the factors for this menace includes the high rate of school dropouts, youth unemployment, lack of government seriousness, failure of police intelligence, apathetic attitude of the locals, involvement of some powerful people in this racket, corruption and lack of proper rehabilitation for the drug addicts.
The more frightening trend in this regard is that the drug suppliers woo mostly the teenagers. In this age of advanced technology, the smart gadgets are proving as the menace for our young generation. It is so because the technology is being used for the overall operation which includes transportation of drugs, contact between the supplier and the buyer and development of a strong network for an illegal and inhuman act. The tragedy is that the suppliers are courageous enough to reach their destination in a vehicle, provide the buyer with drugs and disappears in no time. It means that there are some local people who are involved in this crime. The availability of these drugs has become rather easier which was perhaps not the case earlier. This prompts us to think for certain basic questions which need to be answered if we want to stand against this deadly scenario where a generation, its society, economy and polity is being pushed into darkness and uncertainty. Here it pertinent to understand the chain linkage between the buyer and supplier. Who are the people especially the locals who are involved in this business of narcotic drugs? How far the Government is aware of this problem and serious against the nexus? What can be the course of action of the responsible citizens?
The present growing menace of narcotic drugs on the outskirts of Jammu can have deep linkages with the grim situation of narcotic drugs in the state of Punjab, the cross-border smuggling of drugs along the international border and line of control. Punjab is referred to be as the Narcotic drug haven in India and situation is grim in the state. The drug racket is rampant also because of the lack of strong political will and seriousness, governmental and non-governmental efforts. Henceforth, it is not only the duty of the state but also the obligation of every citizen to think and act against this menace because today it may be someone’s family member who is using narcotics but tomorrow it may be yours! At this time, more than anything else there is a need for concrete actions to be taken by the citizens, civil society and the Government. The people need to unite, demonstrate publicly and discuss at the Panchayat level against the influence of these drugs. It will make people more aware and serious about this problem on one hand and on the other it will exert pressure on the authorities to be more proactive against the narcotic network. The nexus of this business is deep, therefore, there is need of social movement, a continuous struggle if we want to reduce this menace, if not to eradicate it. The onus of a social responsibility is on the citizens now more than the state for tackling this drug menace, otherwise the present generation and the generations of posterity will look down upon us for not acting sincerely and saving them from the few bunches of the spoiled brats of the society.
(The author is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
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