TAPLEJUNG, May 30: Taplejung police have taken ruthless action against drug addiction. Over the past three weeks, the District Police Office (DPO), Taplejung, has arrested eight individuals involved in drug abuse. 

District Police Office (DPO) Chief, DSP Ravi Rawal has adopted an aggressive approach against drug addiction since he took charge as the police chief here. The search for those involved in drug addiction including brown sugar has been intensified and it will be carried out as a campaign, according to DSP Rawal. 

In response to the escalating drug addiction problem, the government has decided to designate tramadol and tapentadol as psychoactive substances. The DPO, Taplejung said that the police have arrested and prosecuted the importers and users of the two substances.

Since the police have also found marijuana users, they have intensified the campaign to destroy the naturally growing marijuana plants.

Mayor of Phungling Municipality, Amir Maden said he  has his full support to the police's campaign against drug addiction. "The campaign launched by the police against drug addiction is an admirable and welcome  step. The police have the full support and cooperation of the people's representatives," said Mayor Maden.

Substances that create addiction in humans are drugs. In general, substances that distort physical and mental health, consciousness and cognition are called drugs. Such substances affect the central nervous system of a person as well as bring changes to their feelings and thinking.

Marijuana, opium, heroin, morphine, cocaine, etc. are illegal drugs, while tobacco and alcohol are controlled drugs. As defined in section '3' of the Narcotics Control Act 2033 BS (1976), narcotic drugs are defined as any substance prepared by mixing cannabis, medicinal cannabis, opium, ready-made opium, medicinal opium, coca weed and leaves, and the mixture or salts of opium and coca essence.