Regulations of Narcotic Drugs In India

Sorra Sivaprasad^1*, Dr.K Harinadha Baba², T Praveena^3
1,3Sri sivani college of Pharmacy, JNTUK, Kakinada
²Principal Sri sivani College of Pharmacy, JNTUK, Kakinada

A B S T R A C T
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act also commonly termed as the NDPS Act, made with the purpose to control drugs of abuse and prohibit its use, dissipation, distribution, manufacture, and trade of substance of abuse. Narcotic drugs are those which induce sleep while psychotropic substances have the ability to alter the mind of an individual. NDPS Act came into existence on 14 November 1985 by Parliament of India. Although, as these kinds of drugs have their importance in the practice of medicine. Thus, the act also has provisions for the cultivation of cannabis, poppy, or coca plants and manufacture of any psychotropic substances dealing with the medicinal practices. Main agenda of the act is to have a control on manufacture, possession, sale and transport of such narcotic and psychotropic substances. The act bans around 200 psychotropic substances resultant upon these drugs are not available over the counter for any walk in individual. These drugs are on sale only when prescription for the same is available. Violation of this law may result into punishment including rigorous imprisonment or fine or both. The degree of punishment is dependent upon the harshness of the case being dealt with. If the drugs are used for personal use then the punishment may be lesser. Although since the establishment of the law, it has been amended time and again. But due to the availability of synthetic drugs and issues relating to street drugs and designer drugs, the problem in dealing with new drugs having the nature of substance of abuse is a difficult task. Besides NDPS also lacks in differentiating among users, drug peddler and hard core criminals in this drug trade. The present study is an overview on the NDPS act and its competency.
Keywords: Narcotics, Psychotropic substance, NDPS, Prohibition etc.