4. Central Government to take measures for preventing and combating abuse of and illicit
traffic in narcotic drugs, etc.—
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government shall
take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of preventing and combating
abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the illicit traffic therein 2[and for ensuring their
medical and scientific use].
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section
(1), the
measures which the Central Government may take under that sub-section include measures with respect
to all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) coordination of actions by various officers, State Governments and other authorities—
(i) under this Act, or
(ii) under any other law for the time being in force in connection with the enforcement of the
provisions of this Act;
(b) obligations under the International Conventions;
1. Ins. by Act 2 of 1989, s. 3 (w.e.f. 29-5-1989).
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2014, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-5-2014).
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(c) assistance to the concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international
organisations with a view to facilitating coordination and universal action for prevention and
suppression of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
(d) identification, treatment, education, after care, rehabilitation and social re-integration of
addicts;
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[(da) availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use;]
(e) such other matters as the Central Government deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of
securing the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act and preventing and combating the
abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and illicit traffic therein.
(3) The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to do for the purposes of
this Act, by order, published in the Official Gazette, constitute an authority or a hierarchy of authorities
by such name or names as may be specified in the order for the purpose of exercising such of the powers
and functions of the Central Government under this Act and for taking measures with respect to such of
the matters referred to in sub-section
(2) as may be mentioned in the order, and subject to the supervision
and control of the Central Government and the provisions of such order, such authority or authorities may
exercise the powers and take the measures so mentioned in the order as if such authority or authorities had
been empowered by this Act to exercise those powers and take such measures.
