Srinagar, March 19 -- The recent ruling against routine re-testing of narcotic samples under the NDPS Act is a powerful reminder that justice must not be compromised by shortcuts or mechanical procedures. By refusing to allow re-sampling without compelling reasons, the court has reinforced the principle that liberty cannot be curtailed on flimsy grounds. This is not merely a technical matter; it is about the integrity of the justice system and the protection of individual rights.

But beyond the courtroom lies a darker reality that continues to haunt society. Drugs have become a corrosive force, eating away at the vitality of communities and trapping youth in cycles of addiction and despair. In places already burdened by unemployment, ali...