Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 1: High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has upheld the detention of one Hilal Ahmad Dar Alias Hilla under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPSA).
While dismissing the petition, Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul observed, “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”, High Court said.
“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. There is a great loss of productivity associated with drug-related premature mortality. Although it is difficult to place a dollar value on a human life, a rough calculation of lost productivity can be made based on the present discounted value of a person’s lifetime earnings”, High Court said, adding “these imperative aspects concerned with illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances cannot be overlooked or ignored”.
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