Supreme Court on decriminalising drug consumption: 'Dealers will start peddling...'

The Supreme Court of India warned a petitioner that if narcotics consumption in small quantities is legalised, then drug dealers will peddle substances in smaller quantities too.

The top court refused to entertain a PIL seeking scrapping of certain provisions of the NDPS Act which penalise drug addicts for using banned substances for personal consumption.

The petitioner argued, "It is important to take steps to minimise the stigma and provide health care benefits and facilities of de-addiction to the people affected by substance abuse, rather than subjecting them to punishment under the criminal justice system."

The Supreme Court reportedly said that courts take note of personal consumption angles in cases, and award lesser punishment for drug abuse. The petitioner withdrew the PIL as the court did not wish to hear the matter.

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