The new drug policy ofHimachal Pradeshhas recommended implementation of the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in NDPS (PITNDPS), Act No. 46 of 1988, for the detention of identified people in certain cases to check smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The policy said Himachal Pradesh borders withPunjab, Haryana, and Union territory of J&K and smuggling of drugs in and out of the state is a critical drug control problem that needs to be given top priority.
TheHimachal Pradesh Integrated Drug Prevention Policynotified recently said to effectively counter the smuggling problem, the state should make efforts to sensitize and build capacities of its drug law enforcement personnel; establish mechanisms to continuously strengthen inter-state cooperation. It also advocated to set up institutional mechanisms for direct exchange of intelligence between state drug law enforcement agencies and their counterpart agencies in the neighbouring states and the Centre, besides curb the Growth of illegal Internet pharmacies (darknet markets) indulging in smuggling of pharma-based psychoactive and prescription drugs and lay measures to curb import, export, shipment of drugs through air, sea, road, rail, and post/courier Services.
The policy said the State Government should notify a board and detaining authority under this act and sensitize the Police and excise enforcement agencies on its provisions. It further suggests the state to make effort to identify, seize and forfeit properties of such offenders; detain the organizers, financiers, and their agents, who manage things from behind the scenes.