India concern over rise in poppy cultivation in neighbourhood

India has expressed concern about the "unprecedented" growth in illicit poppy cultivation and opium production in its neighbourhood.
"Geographically India stands sandwiched between two major illicit opium and heroin producers and is affected from illicit opiate trafficking originating from these regions, as a transit country," Finance and Revenue Secretary Sumit Bose said while speaking at the 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs being held in the UN Office here.
He said among the major challenges in eliminating drug problem, were developing timely statistics of the drug abuse in the country.
"Developing proper standards for treatment of victims of drug abuse" is another big challenge, he said.

Reiterating India's commitment to the UN drug control system, Bose said they have come out with a policy document - the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances- to combat the menace.
He said the Indian Parliament had approved amendments to the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which seek to do away with the regulatory barriers that act as a hindrance to adequate opioid access for pain relief and palliative care in the country.
Bose also highlighted other initiatives such as the development of an online monitoring system for psychotropic substances, and amendment to the money laundering legislation to curb money laundering activities related to drug trafficking.