Eye-in-the-Sky to detect poppy crops

COIMBATORE: Soon satellite imageries could help the police and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to detect illegal poppy cultivation in the country.The Draft National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), prepared by the Revenue Department of the Union Finance Ministry in consultation with State governments, has proposed the use of satellites to curtail the illicit cultivation of poppy and cannabis.The NDPS Draft National Policy was cleared by the Union Cabinet earlier this month. “On the illicit cultivation of poppy and cannabis, the policy emphasises the use of satellite imageries for detection of the crop,” says an official.Police believe that once the illegal crop is detected it would help them curtail drug trade at the ‘root’. “The policy also envisages developing alternative means of livelihood for those involved in traditional illicit cultivation so that the trade can be eradicated,” a police officer who earlier worked with the NCB said.The government also intends to develop non-intrusive methods of regulating the manufacture, trade and use of psychotropic substances after consulting experts in the field. Besides when the policy is eventually notified, periodic surveys of drug abuse would be conducted “to gauge the extent, pattern and nature of drug abuse in India, recognition of de-addiction centres.”According to an official, the policy attempts to curb the menace of drug abuse and contains provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social re-integration of victims of drug abuse.Significantly, the NDPS Draft National Policy is in favour of the private sector getting to play a role in production of alkaloids from opium. Presently, only the Government Opium and Alkaloid Factories is into production of alkaloids.The policy recommends production of Concentrate of Poppy Straw (CPS) in India by a company or body corporate.