Panel demands effective ban on e-drugs

The Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has written to the Drugs Controller, Karnataka, calling for an effective ban on e-drugs.

The commission’s chairperson, Kripa Amar Alva, said that the rise in cases of drug abuse as indicated by the Narcotics Control Bureau was worrisome and that it was an indication of rampant drug abuse in the state. She referred to how teenagers had developed techniques to modify e-cigarettes to inhale drugs such as marijuana, wax and cannabis.

Even though Karnataka banned e-cigarettes in June, several e-commerce sites continue to sell the product. “E-drugs available online are a threat to society. A strong mechanism needs to be in force to control this,” the letter says. The commission has also sought a monthly report on the action taken for implementation to assess the enforcement.