The Supreme Court of India on Monday lapsed into deep controversies surrounding drug abuse in the country, asserting that drug abuse has unfortunately become fashionable as the young generation termed it as cool. This bench said this while endorsing a case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Ankush Vipan Kapoor, who is accused of being involved in a drugs syndicate pumping in heroin from Pakistan and through sea routes into the country.
Justice Nagarathna, while giving the operative aspect of the majority judgment, explained how acutely the abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances affects the social, economic, and psychological well-being of individuals and the nation and how this menace threatens to derail the dream of the nation’s youth. Using examples, she noted that drug addiction is a social vice, and parents, communities, and the state government must support any effort to halt the vice. The court also set certain directions for the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to enable a proper handling of the issue.
The bench said the anti-narcotics court heard cases of soaring drug business with utmost ‘earnest disquiet’ because the menace permeates every demography of the country irrespective of the age, religious background, or the community to which the individuals belong. Justice Nagarathna draws attention to the catastrophic effects of the drug business on society, which is financing violence and terrorism that creates unrest in society. She argued that increased drug use among the youths could be attributed to pressure from fellow young people, academic stress, and cultural influence that encourages reckless behaviors and unhealthy ways of living.
The Supreme Court also expressed concern at how escapism has become a way of handling life challenges, with the young generation being called upon to stand up and be responsible and stop being tempted to escape. In the capacity of the bench, stressing the parents’ significant part, the latter stressed the need for a protective and emotionally safe surrounding to protect children from enticement to use drugs. Justice Nagarathna emphasized that love and affection by parents are necessary to fight substance dependence and to support well-being.
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