Lok Sabha Question No. 3083 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-06
Subject: Drug Addiction in Students
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY, ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3083 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.8.2018

## Drug Addiction in Students

## 3083.  SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY : SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the three corporations have identified 1820 school kids between the age 7-10 years who consume tobacco, solutions, inhalers, gutkha and other drugs in Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of children died due to using such drugs in the country, State-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  scheme  for  protection  of school children from drug abuse including steps taken to crack down on alleged sale of drugs among students in school and college campus and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the number of illegal use of drugs in different Central Universities?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

- (a) & (b) Information is being collected and will be laid on the table of the House.
- (c) & (d) :   The Ministry of HRD has issued guidelines to all the States & UTs which provides that Life-skills education should address, inter-alia, the issue of drug abuse. The  Government  has  formulated  the  policy  for  protection  of  school  children  from drug abuse.  The Sections 77 and 78 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 provide penal provisions for giving intoxicating liquor or narcotics or psychotropic substance to a child or using a child for vending, peddling, carrying, supplying  or smuggling  any  intoxicating  liquor, narcotic  drug or psychotropic substance.  The  National Institute  of  Social  Defence  (NISD),  an  autonomous organization    under    M/o   SJ&E,   conducts sensitization and preventive education programs in schools and colleges on regular basis. During 2017-18, NISD conducted 247  awareness  generation  programs  in  various  Schools  and  Universities/Colleges covering  23006  beneficiaries.  The  CBSE  has  also  issued  advisories  to  schools  to promote the cause of prevention of drug abuse. Similarly, the National Commission

for  Protection  of  Child  Rights  (NCPCR)  undertook  a  pan  India  Radio  awareness campaign through All India Radio on FM Rainbow and Vividh Bharti channels from 13 th to 19 th May, 2016 (one week) against substance abuse by children and their use in carrying, supplying, smuggling etc. of tobacco products and other intoxicants. Further,  UGC  has  framed  guidelines  on  safety  of  students  on  and  off campuses  of  Higher  Educational  Institutions  (HEIs)  on  27.01.2016.  HEIs  should mandatorily  put  in  place  a  broad-based 'Student  Counseling  System'  for  the effective management of problems and challenges faced by students. It should be a unique,  interactive  and  target  oriented  system,  involving  students,  teachers  and parents, resolved to address common student concerns ranging from anxiety, stress, fear of change and failure to homesickness and a slew of academic worries. UGC has  also  issued  guidelines  for  strict  compliance  of  the  '  the  cigarettes  and  other Tobacco  Products  (Prohibition  of  Advertisement  and  regulation  of  Trade  and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 which contained certain provision  pertaining  to  educational  institutions.  Guidelines  were  also  issued  for:  ' Preventing sale of drugs to school and college children' The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had also notified a scheme of National Awards for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and  Substance  (Drug)  Abuse  in  order  to  recognize  the  efforts  and  encourage excellence  in  the  field  of  prevention  of  substance  abuse  and  rehabilitation  of  its victims. (e): No such data is being maintained.

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