KATHMANDU: Speakers at a programme in Kathmandu today have urged the mass communication media to step up its role in curbing narcotic drug trafficking and its abuse. Speaking in the programme titled 'Interaction with Journalists on Narcotic Drug Control' organised by the Department of Narcotic Drug Control under the Ministry of Home Affairs here today, the speakers expressed concerns over the increasing narcotic drug abuse in the country of late. The speakers said that the increasing number of narcotic drug abusers has resulted in various problems in the society, highlighting the need of concerted efforts of the civil society, journalists, and security bodies in addressing this problem. Home Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota said society moving towards the wrong direction would be hazardous to all sectors and urged the media to play a very proactive part and step up its role in stopping this trend. The country having adopted the federal setup, it is crucial to formulate a separate policy to control narcotic drug abuse and trafficking. Joint Secretary Kedar Neupane, on the occasion, shared the data that shows the number of narcotic drug abusers in the country increasing by 11 per cent per annum. He mentioned that the Narcotic Drug Control Act, 2033 BS has become obsolete and suggested it be revised. He stressed that the media should play its role as the disseminator of true information on narcotic drugs, as the initiator to address the problem, and as the means of giving feedback to the government on developing related policies. Director General of the Department of Drug Administration Narayan Prasad Dhakal, Chief of the Narcotics Control Bureau of Nepal Police - Deputy Inspector General Thule Rai, and Vice-president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Bipul Pokharel also stressed the need for coordinated efforts of all sectors to address the burgeoning problem of narcotic substance trafficking and abuse.