Lok Sabha Question No. 931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-24
Subject: Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2018

## DRUG ABUSE

## 931. SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched initiatives to reduce the incidence of abuse in the country and if s0,the details thereof; drug
- (b) whether any survey has been carried out to measure the incidence and magnitude of the problem;
- (c) if s0, the findings of the survey; and
- (d) whether any such programme has been launched in Andhra Pradesh and if the details thereof? SO,

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a): This   Ministry implements a "Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for   Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse' which provides financial assistance to eligible NonGovernmental Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, etc. intermaintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation   Centres   for Addicts to   provide compositelintegrated services for the rehabilitation of addicts. for,

The Ministry has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories on 11.8.2016 for coordinated action to address the problem of abuse. taking drug

The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under this Ministry, conducts sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges on basis  During the year 2017-18, NISD has   conducted 247 awareness generation programmes in various Schools and Universities/Colleges covering 23006 beneficiaries. regular

Besides, the   Ministry has in the year 2016, conducted an awareness generation programme, in collaboration with  Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY), to create awareness in children and youth about the harmful effects of substance abuse in 156 schools in 22 districts of Punjab covering about 52,800 students.

(6) to (d): The last National Survey on the extent; pattern and trend of abuse was sponsored by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the year 2000-2001 and its report was published in 2004. It was estimated that about 732 lakh persons in India were users of alcohol and drugs. Of these 87 lakh used were users of Alcohol. The sample size of the survey was 40,697 males within the age group of 12-60 years both in rural and urban areas. drug

Thereafter; the Ministry   has, in the month of August,  2016, assigned the work of conducting a National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India to National Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The survey will provide national and State-level  estimates of proportion and absolute number of people who use various substances and people who are suffering from substance use disorders. Drug

Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that the Prohibition & Excise Department conducted 775 awareness programmes in rallies and runs, 424 seminars/workshopslmeetings, distribution of pamphlets, 111 other literacy activities on the evils of abuse all over the State from 12.6.2017 to 26.6.2017 observing 26.6.2017 as Anti Abuse drug Drug Day.

In a bid to cut supply of ganja, & special drive has been launched for the first time in the 15.9.2017 and destroyed 1,67,60,156 ganja plants cultivated in 3105.01 acres of land situated in 292 villages of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts. Drone teams have been deployed to gather intelligence inputs regarding cultivation of ganja in high lands; active support from Police, Revenue, Forest and ITDA authorities. taking

Five   Kalajatha teams educated the tribal farmers   against   ganja cultivation from 27.11.2017 to 26.12.2017 in 300 villages of Visakhapatnam.

Workshops, seminars and   coordination   meetings have been held in this   regard at Visakhapatnam on 07.07.2016, 21.06.2017, 09.11.2017, 22.02.2018, 2018, at Rajahmundry on 19.01.2017 and at Tirupathi on 10.07.2018. Officers of the cadre of DGP, Spl CS to Government Revenue Department; Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise, Director of Enforcement  (Proh & Excise), Addl. DGP CID of Andhra Pradesh; Zonal  Director; NCB Bangalore, Addl. Director; DRI Hyderabad have participated.

26.06.2018 has been observed as Anti Abuse in which rallies and runs have been organized at Visakhapatnam. Drug Day