SC raises alarm over rising drug abuse among youth

The Supreme Court on Monday termed drug abuse a generational threat that could “corrode the shine of the nation’s youth” and expressed concern over substance abuse being seen as a “cool” lifestyle marker. The verdict, which came while affirming a National Investigation Agency probe against Ankush Vipan Kapoor in a Pakistan-linked heroin smuggling case, also expanded NIA’s investigative scope. “The debilitating impact of drug trade and drug abuse is an immediate and serious concern for India.The arc and web of drug trade cannot be permitted to corrode the shine of the youth of India,” stated justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh, calling for immediate action from stakeholders including parents, society and state authorities. Citing Article 47 of the Constitution, which places a duty on the state to improve public health and prohibit consumption of intoxicating substances, the bench said: “The ills of drug abuse seem to be shadowing the length and breadth of our country.” The court referenced the social justice ministry’s 2019 report showing about 7.7 million opioid users, mainly in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.