The consumption of synthetic drugs is on the rise among the youth and the government should take concrete steps to contain it, an NCP member demanded in the Rajya Sabha today.
Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, Vandana Chavan said "it has been increasingly seen recently that the use of synthetic drugs has increased considerably in comparison to natural drugs among the young generation of India."
Synthetic drugs are cheaper, making them more affordable to the youth. These were more hazardous and addictive. Today, Punjab, followed by Maharashtra, lead the market in smuggling, production and consumption of synthetic drugs, she said.
Stating that there is growing use of such drugs, Chavan said recently in Maharasthra, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Narcotics Control Bureau busted an international drug racket at Palghar taluk, seizing 238 kilos of 'Nafodron' and 8.2 kilos of 'Hashish'.
"It is not the first time this has happened in Maharashtra. Even in 2014 and 2015, Nafodron worth Rs 1.2 lakh per year was seized. Today this has increased to Rs 10 crore per year. This has been increasing consistently," she said.
As per National Crime Bureau record, there were 3,467 drug related suicides in 2014, of which 1,372 were in Maharashtra.
That apart, the Mumbai Crime Branch alone had registered 114 cases of drug possession in 2016, she added.
In this backdrop, Chavan said, "I wish to bring to the attention of the government to take concrete steps must be taken in this direction. ...We need to look at not only consumption but also consequences."
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien and several members supported the issue saying it is a serious matter.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also admitted that it was a serious issue and assured the House that he will inform the matter to the concerned minister.
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