The most common factor in all drug related cases now is the rise in the number of minors connected to the cases. The number of minors using and dealing drugs is on the rise.
One of the biggest issues is the easy access to drugs in the society.
The country’s constitution bars delivering sentences if the perpetrator is a minor, with the state making exemptions only for major crimes such as murder.
Drug dealers and networks use these loopholes in the law, exploiting the children to act as mules for drug trade.
The reports issued by the Police detail the amount of drugs seized but not those who had engineered the trade. If the dialogue does not change to who had given the drugs to the child, then the issue is likely to remain unresolved.
Getting a confession or a conviction in drug cases is extremely difficult due to the constraints in the legal system. The Police are unable to properly investigate the crime.
It is common knowledge that the drug dealers use all these aspects to their advantage. A serious question arises on how much importance the Parliament gives to actually resolving the issue.
The drug mule, who is a minor today, will become a drug dealer or a gang member. Police records attest to this fact.
If we are truly to create a better generation, youth who are responsible and driven, then we have to really address issues of this nature.