New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set December 31, 2029, as the deadline for collectively eliminating the drug trade from the country, calling for a shift from merely seizing narcotics to dismantling entire trafficking networks.

Addressing the third National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads of states and Union Territories, Shah said combating drugs must become a national mission and priority.

He said the Vision Document for Narcotics Control 2026-29, prepared in consultation with more than 35 departments, lays down benchmarks, targets, timelines and responsibilities. It is based on four pillars: enforcement, intelligence and operations; control of precursor and synthetic drugs; demand and harm reduction; and capacity building and coordination.

Calling for a shift from "Meeting to Mission", "Reporting to Result", "Seizure to dismantling of Networks" and "Case to Conviction", Shah said financial investigations and tracing digital footprints must supplement backward and forward investigations.

He said drug cartels must be targeted at entry points, inter-state trade routes and local supply chains, while authorities also need to tackle emerging threats involving synthetic drugs, precursor chemicals, darknet, cryptocurrency, dead-drop logistics and international trafficking routes.

Shah said ANTFs should evolve into an "Anti-Narco Mission Command" and urged states to strengthen manpower, technology and resources. He also called for greater use of PITNDPS, closer coordination with prosecutors from investigation to conviction, and steps to deport and blacklist foreigners involved in drug trafficking.

He said 46,780 Nashamukt Mitras had been enrolled against a target of one lakh. The volunteers will take the anti-narcotics campaign to 10 lakh schools, colleges and institutions.

The minister also launched anti-narcotics TVCs, laid foundation stones for NCB zonal complexes in Lucknow and Dehradun, felicitated performing ANTFs and unveiled the revamped NCB website.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.