Whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any juvenile or the child any intoxicating liquor in a public place or any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance except upon the order of duly qualified medical practitioner or in case of sickness shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
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Comment:
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The section prohibits giving of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug or psychotropic substance to juvenile or child without the prescription by a qualified medical practitioner.
The term ‘narcotic drug ‘ includes—(i) opium and its derivatives like brown sugar, heroin and codeine, (ii) Cocaine, (iii) Cannabis, and (iv) Methadene, pethedine, hebaine etc.
The term ‘psychotrophic substances’ includes within it Valium, daizepam, tidijesic, morphine etc.
In view of the alarming dimensions of drug menace, the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotrophic Substances Act was enacted in 1985 which deals with the offences relating to drugs. Later the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotrophic Substances Act, 1988 was enacted which came into force on July 4, 1988.