South Asian Sub-Regional Drug Focal Point Meeting held in New Delhi

Sub-Regional Drug Focal Point Meeting and Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Expert Group Consultation, South Asia under the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) was organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau of India.

Objective:

• To review the progress of the Drug Demand and Supply Reduction activities in the region.
• Facilitate exchange of views between delegates on technical aspects of the drug cooperation programme and it aims at achieving efficiency and effectiveness.
• Address the needs of the member states and help formulate a uniform strategic plan to address drug use and abuse related problems.

CPDAP provides a great platform to coordinate among different countries fighting for the cause of drug menace. About 40 delegates from various participating countries including United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative from Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi are participating in this meeting.

Drug Menace in South Asia region

• South Asia region is present on the so called Golden Crescent (overlaps Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) and Golden Triangle (overlaps Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) which are two main opium-producing areas in the world.
• Part of South West and South East Asia are more venerable for drug trafficking and its abuse especially among the youth is matter of concern.
• The involvement of various terrorist groups and syndicates in drug trafficking has been seen as grave threat to national security and sovereignty of countries in this region.

India’s concern: Due to its close proximity with major opium growing areas of the region, India is facing the serious menace of drug trafficking and spillover effect.

By: Vishal