Mizoram govt takes steps to curb drug abuse

Aizawl, Oct 30 (UNI) The Mizoram government has decided to stop drug abuse in the state.

In a meeting chaired by state law secretary P Chakravarty, where representatives of police, Excise and Drugs Control Authority decided yesterday to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to contain drug abuses by controlling their sales and punishing the peddlers.

Mr Chakravarty said as per the decision, Drugs Control authority would notify certain drugs while the government would take steps to amend the existing act.

''Law enforcing agencies have found that there was an urgent need to amend two existing Central Acts--Cosmetics and Drugs Act and Assam Drugs Control Act--and have our own state acts on drugs,'' Mr Chakravarty told UNI today.

The minimum punishment for offenders would be seven-years' imprisonment.

Assistant sub-inspectors of police would be empowered to invoke the act, he added.

Mr Chakravarty said since state-specific amendments are possible in matters that are in the Concurrent List, the state government would like to see the Central act amended while the state would also amend the existing acts and prepare a state Bill to contain drugs abuse.

The state government had adopted the Assam Drugs Control Act 1950 but it was not possible to enforce it.

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