Kunal Naik: "The Fight Against Drugs Requires Time and Method"

Kunal Naik, recently appointed chairman of the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC), takes on one of the most sensitive issues within the Mauritian institutional landscape. His new role comes shortly after the resignation of Sam Lauthan, a committed figure in the fight against drugs, amid public demand for quick solutions to a phenomenon that continues to weaken many families.

While Kunal Naik announces that "tangible results" will be visible starting in January, he immediately calls for a realistic understanding of the role and capabilities of the NADC. He emphasizes the need for clarification: "I believe we will need the media to correct some interpretations," he states, reminding that the agency is not meant to replace existing on-the-ground actors. "The NADC has a coordination mandate to make anti-drug actions coherent, effective, and efficient. It is not the agency's role to operate on the ground but to work closely with actors already present, such as NGOs," he specifies.

This clarification is significant; it reflects a desire to reposition the fight against drugs within a systemic approach, moving away from an exclusively repressive or sporadic logic. Kunal Naik insists on the time required to reverse a deeply entrenched situation: "Drugs have taken over a decade to establish their reach within all components of the population. A legal text will not make this disappear overnight," he warns against unrealistic expectations.

Strengthening Institutional Foundations

In the immediate term, the first months of his tenure will focus on solidifying the institutional foundations of the NADC. "The NADC is gradually being established," he explains, mentioning the creation of an office, the upcoming launch of an official visual identity, the recruitment of qualified personnel, and the formation of specialized subcommittees. All these elements are deemed essential for enabling the agency to fully execute its role as the conductor of drug policy. This structuring is part of the broader National Drug Control Masterplan 2025–2029, which is presented as the central tool of the national strategy. This plan marks a departure from previous approaches by adopting a multisectoral vision that seeks to balance prevention, public health, treatment, risk reduction, and repression. It positions the NADC at the heart of the system, tasked with ensuring coordination among relevant ministries, law enforcement, health services, NGOs, and civil society.

National Drug Observatory

Another essential pillar of this new architecture is the National Drug Observatory, which is expected to play a strategic role in data production and analysis. For Kunal Naik, the fight against drugs cannot be effective without a solid scientific foundation. The data collected will not only guide public policies but also assess the impact of actions taken and adjust strategies in real time based on evolving trends.

Institutionally, the Masterplan must be validated and officially launched by the National Drug Control Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister. This step aims to grant the document strong political legitimacy and ensure the buy-in of all stakeholders to a common vision.

Integrated Governance

Beyond structures and plans, Kunal Naik emphasizes the necessity of integrated governance. "The fight against drugs requires integrated and collaborative governance," he asserts. This approach relies on regular consultation mechanisms, information-sharing platforms, and clear protocols to avoid overlaps and enhance the complementarity of interventions. According to him, this synergy between institutional coordination and research is the key to sustainable effectiveness, framing the fight against drugs within a logic of public health, security, and social cohesion. Through this positioning, the new chairman of the NADC outlines a less spectacular but more structured action plan. A strategy that, if he succeeds in translating it into concrete results, could profoundly redefine the national response to the drug crisis.