Drug abuse threat to national security: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Drug abuse was a serious threat not only to public health but also to national security, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Wednesday.

"Our global society is facing serious consequences of drug abuse. It undermines the socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development," Rajnath Singh said.

The minister was addressing the inaugural session of Sub-Regional Drug Focal Point Meeting and Drug Demand Reduction Expert Group Consultation, South Asia organised by Narcotics Control Bureau.

Rajnath Singh said the involvement of various terrorist groups and syndicates in drug trafficking leads to threats to the national security and sovereignty of states by the way of narco-terrorism.

The minister said drugs also destroy the health and fabric of the society and it was considered to be the reason for petty offences as well as heinous crimes like smuggling of arms and ammunition and money laundering.

He said drug trafficking and abuse has continued its significant toll on valuable human lives and productive years of many person around the globe.

"With the growth and development of world economy, drug traffickers are also seamlessly trafficking various type of drugs from one corner to other ensuring the availability of the contrabands for vulnerable segment of the society who fall into the trap of drug peddlers and traffickers," he added.

Rajnath Singh said: "India's approach towards tackling the menace of drugs is well enshrined in our constitution which in the Directive Principles lay down that the state shall make endeavours to bring about the prohibition of substances injurious for health except for medicinal and scientific purposes."

Trafficking of drugs and its linkages with other organised crimes is a major challenge for the drug law enforcement agencies and the home ministry, narcotics control bureau and other drug law enforcement agencies of India are fully capable to deal with such challenges.