NEW DELHI: The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in its 2019 annual report released on Thursday has said that India is a significant source of trafficked opioid Tramadol that are seized worldwide. It has also raised concern about large-scale illicit cultivation of cannabis in the country and its long-term impact on children.Releasing the report, Jagjit Pavadia, member of the INCB and head of its finance committee, expressed concern about the extent of substance abuse by the young population. The report has highlighted the connection between the use of alcohol & tobacco and the use of psychoactive substances like cannabis, opiates and cocaine by children and adolescents. Quoting a survey of drug abusers, the report says the median age of onset of use for these substances is 16–19 years for alcohol and tobacco, 18–19 years for cannabis and 21–24 years for cocaine.“Longitudinal studies that have followed children into adulthood indicate that the earlier the age of onset for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use, the greater the likelihood of use of drugs such as opiates and cocaine,” it said. The research has explored this relationship and has shown that genetic, biological and societal factors are associated with this progression, it added.“An analysis of data from 2010 to 2017 shows that India is among those countries worldwide with the greatest extent of illicit cannabis cultivation and production,” the report said. Though enforcement agencies in India eradicated 1,980 hectares of illicit cannabis in 2018, less than the 3,446 hectares destroyed in 2017, the actual illicit cultivation could be many times more.Director general (DG) of the Narcotics Control Bureau Rakesh Asthana and DG of directorate of revenue intelligence Balesh Kumar were also present on the occasion and both expressed the desire for a higher coordination among Indian agencies to control trafficking of drugs and their abuse.