The Chandigarh Police, who have dealt with 5,000 drug addict cases, find themselves helpless in taking action against the addicts as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act does not cover the drugs which they consume.
UT SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill revealed that 90 per cent of the criminals arrested for various offences were drug addicts but did not face any legal action as the drugs they took were not covered under the NDPS Act.
Citing a survey conducted by the UT police, he said the drug addicts revealed that the most popular drugs used by them in the city were Iodex and bond, used to fix tyres of vehicles. Expressing helplessness, he said the police could do little to deal with such drug addicts as they were aware about the fact that the drugs being used by them were not covered under the NDPS Act.
Sharing details of the survey, the SSP said of the 5,000 cases of drug addicts, more than 60 per cent were from colonies while the remaining were from urban areas. He said drug addiction was on the rise in colonies in the city, but till the addicts were involved in any criminal activity, the police had no power to act against them.
He said changes were required in the NDPS Act as the problem was not confined to the UT, but the police in other states were also facing a similar situation.
Consumption of drugs by children in the city came to light during a survey conducted by the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) in July this year. According to a report of the CCPCR, Mani Majra and the adjoining areas have become a hub of drugs for children who take their dose in the form of bond, which is used to fix tyres. They inhale the drug using a handkerchief. Mosty children in the age group of 8 to 14 years were found addicted to drugs, alcohol and smoking.
UT SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill revealed that 90 per cent of the criminals arrested for various offences were drug addicts but did not face any legal action as the drugs they took were not covered under the NDPS Act.
Citing a survey conducted by the UT police, he said the drug addicts revealed that the most popular drugs used by them in the city were Iodex and bond, used to fix tyres of vehicles. Expressing helplessness, he said the police could do little to deal with such drug addicts as they were aware about the fact that the drugs being used by them were not covered under the NDPS Act.
Sharing details of the survey, the SSP said of the 5,000 cases of drug addicts, more than 60 per cent were from colonies while the remaining were from urban areas. He said drug addiction was on the rise in colonies in the city, but till the addicts were involved in any criminal activity, the police had no power to act against them.
He said changes were required in the NDPS Act as the problem was not confined to the UT, but the police in other states were also facing a similar situation.
Consumption of drugs by children in the city came to light during a survey conducted by the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) in July this year. According to a report of the CCPCR, Mani Majra and the adjoining areas have become a hub of drugs for children who take their dose in the form of bond, which is used to fix tyres. They inhale the drug using a handkerchief. Mosty children in the age group of 8 to 14 years were found addicted to drugs, alcohol and smoking.
