The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over
the illicit drugs trade substance abuse in the country and said there was a
need to rehabilitate the youngsters affected instead of demonising them.
A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N
Kotiswar Singh said drug abuse should not be considered a taboo but an open
discussion was required to tackle the issue.
"We note our disquiet regarding substance abuse
in India. Profits are being used to support terrorism and leading to violence.
Academic pressure and family disturbances are also leading to the same, which
is leading to long-term social and economic instability. Peer pressure, stress
from academics and easy availability of drugs is a trigger and adolescents are
also using it as emotional escapism," the bench said.
"The youth must not follow those who resort to
drug abuse and victims of substance abuse are not only limited to the
downtrodden but cuts across economic barriers. We need not demonise the ones
who have resorted to it but rehabilitate the individuals and make them
constructive citizens," it added.
The observation came while the bench was pronouncing
a judgment on a bail plea filed by a man accused in a case involving 500
kilogrammes of heroin being smuggled from Pakistan to India.