Home Minister for separate drug control department

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 27: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has announced the formation of a separate Department for Drug Control to address issues related to narcotic drug abuse and trafficking.

Speaking at an event held in Kathmandu to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, Minister Lekhak said that drug control programme has always remain the top priority of the government.

"To control drug abuse, a separate Department for Drug Control will be established under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the upcoming fiscal year," said Minister Lekhak. "The Ministry has been advancing awareness generating, prevention, and punitive programmes to address this issue."  

According to him, drug abuse contributes significantly to incidents such as road accidents, suicides and cybercrimes.

“The main focus should be on prevention. Public awareness is crucial. Drug abuse has dangerously affected our society,” he added. “Awareness programmes must reach communities, households, neighbourhoods, and schools so that they will be more effective.”

Minister Lekhak urged collective support for the anti-drug campaign, stressing that government efforts alone would not be sufficient.

“There are about 134,000 drug users in the country. Society is being seriously affected,” he said. “Among the total inmates nationwide, those convicted in drug abuse, trafficking and storage have the second highest population. This reflects the severity of the situation.”

Also, speaking at the same event, Inspector General of Nepal Police Deepak Thapa said that if everyone stood united, it would be possible to successfully control drug abuse. 

He said that drug abuse is on the rise in the Kathmandu Valley. Considering this, Nepal Police, through the Kathmandu Valley Police Office, has been actively conducting drug prevention and control campaigns across the valley. 

He added that awareness generating programmes are being conducted at all local levels, across all communities, and in schools to support the anti-drug campaign.

IGP Thapa highlighted the need for strategic planning to control both the demand and supply of drugs. He informed that up to mid-June of the current fiscal year, Nepal Police had seized 65 per cent more marijuana, 77 per cent more opium, 79 per cent more heroin, and 53 per cent more pharmaceutical drugs compared to the previous fiscal year.

He said, “Drug abuse is rapidly increasing in the Kathmandu Valley. At present, the Kathmandu Valley Police Office is actively moving forward with a strong campaign to prevent and control drug abuse throughout the valley. 

He said that the issue of reducing, preventing, and controlling drug abuse is becoming increasingly serious. If timely and united action is not taken, the nation risks losing its productive and creative youth force, the IGP said.

The event was attended by Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee, Chief of the National Investigation Department Hutaraj Thapa, and representatives from various concerned agencies, including both governmental and non-governmental organisations.