<p>Concerned over rise in cases of drug addiction in some states along international borders, the government today said a joint committee comprising four central ministries has been constituted for curbing the menace of drug smuggling into India.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"The menace is quit prevalent in the states bordering Pakistan. There the number of people getting addicted to drugs is on a rise. Similar is the case in the northeastern states, particularly Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur, which are located along the international borders," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said.<br /><br />A joint committee comprising four ministries, including Home Affairs, Health and Finance, has been constituted and it has formulated a policy and is working towards curbing the menace of smuggling drugs into the country, he told reporters here after addressing a meet here on the occasion of the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.<br /><br />He said measures were also afoot to prevent smuggling of drugs through the air route.<br />"Our ministry had held three meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister for opening the new de-addiction centres for rehabilitating people from drug abuse in the state," he said.<br /><br />Gehlot also said that an advanced survey on drug abuse in Punjab and Manipur has been completed and its results would be made available soon.<br /><br />Earlier, UNODC Representative for South Asia Cristina Albertin read out the message of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2015.<br /><br />"We must address the nexus between illicit drugs and violence, corruption and terrorism. A balanced approach recognizes the close connections between those who traffic in drugs and criminal networks involved in firearms smuggling, kidnapping, human trafficking and other crimes," the message said.<br /><br />Union Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and Krishan Pal Gurjar and ministry officials also spoke on the occasion.</p>
<p>Concerned over rise in cases of drug addiction in some states along international borders, the government today said a joint committee comprising four central ministries has been constituted for curbing the menace of drug smuggling into India.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"The menace is quit prevalent in the states bordering Pakistan. There the number of people getting addicted to drugs is on a rise. Similar is the case in the northeastern states, particularly Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur, which are located along the international borders," Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said.<br /><br />A joint committee comprising four ministries, including Home Affairs, Health and Finance, has been constituted and it has formulated a policy and is working towards curbing the menace of smuggling drugs into the country, he told reporters here after addressing a meet here on the occasion of the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.<br /><br />He said measures were also afoot to prevent smuggling of drugs through the air route.<br />"Our ministry had held three meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister for opening the new de-addiction centres for rehabilitating people from drug abuse in the state," he said.<br /><br />Gehlot also said that an advanced survey on drug abuse in Punjab and Manipur has been completed and its results would be made available soon.<br /><br />Earlier, UNODC Representative for South Asia Cristina Albertin read out the message of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2015.<br /><br />"We must address the nexus between illicit drugs and violence, corruption and terrorism. A balanced approach recognizes the close connections between those who traffic in drugs and criminal networks involved in firearms smuggling, kidnapping, human trafficking and other crimes," the message said.<br /><br />Union Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and Krishan Pal Gurjar and ministry officials also spoke on the occasion.</p>