Provisions and type of drugs under NDPS Act

INTRODUCTION

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, enacted in 1985, stands as a pivotal legislation in India’s ongoing battle against the proliferation of illicit drugs. Formulated to combat drug abuse and trafficking, the NDPS Act outlines stringent measures to regulate and control activities related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This article delves into the key provisions and implications of the NDPS Act.

Key Provisions of the NDPS Act:

1. Classification of Substances: The NDPS Act categorizes substances into three schedules based on their potential for abuse and the degree of harm they pose. Each schedule outlines the legal consequences, penalties, and punishments associated with the possession, production, and trafficking of substances within that category.
2. Punishments and Penalties: The NDPS Act prescribes severe punishments for offenses related to illicit drugs. Penalties vary based on the quantity of the substance involved, with higher quantities attracting more stringent punishments. Offenses include possession, production, manufacturing, cultivation, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, consumption, inter-State, and even international trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
3. Bail Provisions: The NDPS Act incorporates stringent provisions regarding bail, especially for offenses involving commercial quantities of drugs. The burden of proof lies on the accused to demonstrate that they are not guilty and not involved in the alleged offense.
4. Special Courts: The NDPS Act mandates the establishment of special courts to expeditiously try offenses under the Act. These special courts aim to ensure a swift and effective legal process, given the serious nature of drug-related crimes.
5. Forfeiture of Property: The Act empowers authorities to seize and forfeit properties acquired through the illicit trafficking of drugs. This provision serves as a deterrent, aiming to disrupt the economic gains associated with drug-related activities
6. Types of Drugs
7. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act classifies drugs into three schedules, each containing different substances. The schedules are based on the potential for abuse, medical use, and the level of harm associated with the substances. Here are the types of drugs categorized under each schedule of the NDPS Act:
8. Schedule I:
9. Opium derivatives:
   • Opium
   • Morphine
   • Codeine
10. Coca derivatives:
    • Cocaine
11. Manufactured drugs:
    • Methamphetamine (popularly known as Meth)
    • LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
12. Schedule II:
13. Cannabis and Cannabis resin:
    • Charas
    • Ganja
14. Cannabis plant:
    • Any part of the cannabis plant
15. Poppy straw and concentrate of poppy straw:
    • Concentrate of poppy straw (commonly known as opium)
16. Natural and synthetic drugs:
    • Morphine and its salts
    • Thebaine and its salts
    • Codeine and its salts
    • Oxycodone
    • Hydrocodone
    • Hydromorphone
17. Schedule III:
18. **Preparations containing:
    • Cannabis or its resin
    • Concentrate of poppy straw or its salts
    • Any preparation containing any of the above drugs, except those covered by Schedule I or II
19. Cocaine and its preparations:
    • Cocaine and any preparation containing cocaine
20. Amphetamines and substances with amphetamine-like effects:
    • Amphetamine
    • Methamphetamine
21. Other substances:
    • Ephedrine
    • Pseudoephedrine: