KATHMANDU: The government has announced plans to establish a dedicated Department of Narcotics Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs in the upcoming fiscal year to curb drug abuse and trafficking.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak made the announcement on Thursday while speaking at a program in Kathmandu organized to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He stated that the government has given top priority to controlling narcotics and will form a separate department under the Home Ministry for this purpose in the next fiscal year.

Minister Lekhak further mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been working under various plans to combat drug abuse.

He acknowledged that the spread of drugs has significantly increased and that society is being adversely affected by it.

He highlighted that, after theft and robbery, drug-related offenses—including abuse, storage, and trafficking—account for the second-largest number of inmates in prisons across the country.

“The government has given high priority to drug control,” said Lekhak. “As many of you have suggested, we will soon set up a dedicated department to tackle this issue. I hereby officially announce this decision,” Lekhak added.