Lok Sabha Question No. 3127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-06
Subject: Drugs in Form of Medicinal Tablets
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3127 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH DECEMBER, 2019

## DRUGS IN FORM OF MED ICINAL TABLETS

## 3127. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that  young  generation/youth  are  taking  drugs in the form of medicinal tablets in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) wh ether the Government has given any direction to Drug Controller of India in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the concrete measures being taken by the Government to prevent such menace?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a):  Instances  in  which  youth  are  found  taking  drugs  in  the  form  of  medicinal  tabl reported from time to time. Action under law is taken against such of fenders.

The  National  Survey  to  assess  the  extent  and  pattern  of  substance  use  in  I conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India whos report  was  released  in  February  2019  showed  that  a  sizeable  proportion  of  p eople  use medicinal  tablets  for  recreational  purpose.  About  one  percent  of  the  Indian  popu between the age of 10 - 75  years  uses  pharmaceuticals  opioids as well as sedative/hypnoti medicines as psychoactive substance for recreational purpose. About 25 lakh people require help  for  their  pharmaceutical  opioid  use,  while  11.8  lake  people  require  hel sedative/hypnotic  use.  Drug  Treatment  Clinics  have  been  set  up  in  different  parts country to help those who have problems due to use of these drug s.

- (b): Sale and distribution of drugs is regulated in terms of the provisions of the D Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 made thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection. As per the provisions of the Act and Rules, drugs included in Schedule H, H1 and X are required to be sold by retail only on the prescription of Reg Medical Practitioners (RMP). The State Licensing Authorities are empowered to take ac on any violation of the conditions of sale license. In order to check illegal sale of drugs, the State Drug Controllers are sensitized from time to time in the matter.

(c): Following measures have been taken to curb the drug menace among youth:

- Based on the complaints/inputs from students/school staff, Narco tics Control Bureau (NCB)  officials  conduct  random  checks  in  educational  institutions  to  identify apprehend drug peddlers.
- Visit  of  NCB  representatives  to  schools  for  conducting  awareness  programmes making the vulnerable classes of society aware of th e abuse of narcotic drugs and its ill effects.
- Awareness  against  drug  use  through  NCB  Facebook  page  and  Twitter  Handle:  to inform the public/students about the ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficki
- NCB organizes International Day against Drugs Ab use and Illicit Trafficking on 26 th June  every  year  in  all  field  units  of  NCB  to  spread  awareness  among  the  gene public/students about the ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
- Rallies,  Dramas  are  conducted  regularly  in  association  with  NGOs  t o  spread awareness programs in educational institutions all over the country.
- SMS  alerts  of  Drug  Awareness  are  flashed  through  mobile  service  providers  o special occasions to general public.
- Workshops  and  Seminars  are  organized  in  coordination  with  variou s  Government agencies and NGOs in the country to sensitize about the ill effects of drug abu trafficking.