Vidhi recently published a first-of-its-kind comprehensive report “From Addict to Convict: Working of the NDPS Act in Punjab”, analysing over 13,000 NDPS cases registered in 18 districts in Punjab.

The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, through all its amendments, have two main objectives: to deter trafficking and to rehabilitate addicts. Our Report reveals that the law has failed to achieve both objectives in Punjab.

The launch of the report scheduled on 22nd August was scheduled at India International Centre, New Delhi and look forward to presenting its main findings. The launch was followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders from the government, enforcement agencies and health experts working on the issue. The panelists for the discussions are Justice Mukul Mudgal (Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court), Mr. Salman Khurshid (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Former Minister for Corporate Affairs, Water Resources, Minority Affairs, Law & Justice, External Affairs), Mr. K. V Viswanathan (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India), Mr. Balwinder Singh (Former Special Director, CBI) and Dr. Rakesh Chadda (Chief, NDDTC, All India Institute of Medical Sciences).

The panel discussed issues around criminalisation of drug addicts, deterrence and its practical application on ground and addiction as a health issue