As Tripura along with entire globe observing the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023 Monday through mass awareness campaign and massive anti-drug operations by police and other security forces, the state police till June, 2023 through its “Nesha Mukt Tripura” campaign is making all out efforts to eradicate the drug menace from the state.

Drug and illicit trafficking continue to pose a significant threat to individuals, families, and communities worldwide. The consequences of drug abuse are far-reaching, leading to deteriorating health, broken relationships, and a loss of productivity. In order to raise essential awareness about the devastating effects of drug abuse, every year June 26 is celebrated as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or World Drug Day.

In Tripura, the state government and its law enforcing agencies observed the day with massive anti-narcotic operations across the state along with awareness campaigns by different NGOs, clubs and other social organizations to alert the people about devastating efforts of drugs, which gradually gripped the young generation of the state.

The Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha after taking the oath for the second term made it clear that he wants to make Tripura free of drug abuse.

The government has been working with the vision with no compromise and intensified the "Drugs-free Tripura" campaign and gave free hand to police to eradicate the issue at its roots.

Meanwhile, Tripura police through a press statement said that police are making all out efforts to eradicate the drug menace from the state.

Police said that during 2023 a total of 245 cases under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985 have been registered and more than 373 accused persons have been arrested till May.

During this period narcotic items worth more than Rs 70 crore have been seized and Narcotics items worth more than Rs 12.5 crore have been destroyed till May, 2023. In the same period, different narcotic items seized by the state police including cannabis 8398.5 kilograms, banned cough syrups Phensedyl 1489 bottles, Eskuf syrup 1,66,924 bottles, Brown Sugar 273.39 grams, Heroin 2 kgs and 234 grams, Yaba tablets 80,124 and Spasmo-Proxyvon plus tablets 3,230.

In the year 2022 a total of 562 cases were registered and a total of 760 accused people were arrested while Narcotics items worth more than Rs 263 crore were seized.

There are various other activities like Synergy Checking at Naka points on National Highways, State Highway and arterial roads is being done on a regular basis to check drug trafficking. Intensive operations and frequent raids are being carried out at suspected places along with surprise special drives for seizure and destruction of Cannabis (ganja).

As per the Central agencies' data, Tripura figures in the 2nd largest seizure in the North East and the highest destruction of narcotics items.

Tripura Police has also appealed to the citizens of the state to share any information pertaining to narcotics with the local police and the toll free number on which they can inform 112. The identity of the informer will be kept confidential.

It may be recalled here that this year’s theme of International Day Against Drug Abuse is “People First: stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention”. The aim of the United Nations Office On Drug And Crime (UNODC) is to raise awareness about the importance of respecting and empathizing with drug users, providing evidence-based, voluntary services to all, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritizing prevention, and leading compassionately. UNODC’s campaign for this year also said that it aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.”

The United Nations General Assembly decided on December 7, 1987, to observe June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This was done to support their efforts to make society drug-free.