Amit Shah also warned of the threat of narco-terrorism.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) should focus on cracking down on drug traffickers and cartels rather than targeting consumers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a conference of anti-narcotics task forces from states and union territories, Mr Shah said that drug users were victims who needed rehabilitation, not criminalisation. He also warned of the threat of narco-terrorism and its impact on the country's economy and security.
"There should not be any mistake in the approach and our goal should be clear that one who consumes drugs is a victim and one who deals in drugs is a criminal, and they need to be dealt with firmly. We should help them in rehabilitation. The focus of investigation should be traffickers and cartels behind the drug trade," Mr Shah said.
He asked the officials to act ruthlessly against drug dealers in order to ensure that the fight against drugs gets momentum.
"We have to demolish the entire drug network moving forward with 'bottom to top' and 'top to bottom' approach," he said.
Mr Shah said that drugs not only made the young generation hollow, but also had many adverse effects on the country's economy. He also said that through narco-terrorism, drug smugglers could breach the security of the country's border.
"If we fight against narcotics with a well-planned and in a coordinated manner, only then we will be able to give a good future to our coming generations," he said.
Mr Shah also appealed to everyone to work above politics and asked the state governments to keep aside their political differences and join the fight against the narcotics together.
"If the 130 crore Indians fight it together, we will win this battle," he said, adding that the Narendra Modi government has set a target to make the country drug-free by 2047, the 100th year of Independence.