The Narcotic Drugs Act and the Psychiatrist

The legislation to make stringent provision for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, has been enforced since September 1985. Since mental health professionals have to deal with the prescription 0 f psychotropic medications and also deal with the rising number of cases of drug dependence and abuse, it is important for all psychiatrists to be aware of this Act, and to understand its implications. The Act has been called the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, i985. There are six chapters which describe the definitions of terms, measures for preventing and combating illicit traffic, prohibition, control and regulation of certain operations, penalties for the offences and powers entrusted with law enforcing bodies to enforce the Act. Through this column I would like to bring to the knowledge of the members, certain important aspects of the Act. One of the important features of this Act concerns with the authority of the Central Government to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of preventing and combating abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the illicit traffic therein. The measures which the Central Government may take may be regarding the (a) Coordination of action by various officers, State Governments and other authorities; (b) obligations under the International conventions; (c) assistance to the concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international organisations, and (d) identification, treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation and social integration of addicts; The Narcotics Commissioner shall also exercise all powers and perform all functions relating to the superintendence of the cultivation of the opium poppy and production of opium. This Act prohibits any person to cultivate any coca plant or gather any portion of coca plant, or cultivate the opium poppy or any cannabis plant, or to produce, manufacture, possess, sell, purchase, use or consume, import or export any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance except for medical and scientific purposes and to the extent provided by the provisions of the Act. The Central Government is empowered to permit, control and regulate the manufacture of such drugs for medical and scientific purposes. The penalities include rigorous imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and a fine of more than one lakh rupees for contravention in relation to any of the above restrictions and prohibitions laid down by the Act. The powers with the law enforcing bodies regarding entry, search and …