Lok Sabha Question No. 431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-05
Subject: Prevention of Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: N.K. PREMACHANDRAN

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 431 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2019

## PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE

## 431. SHRI NK PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the use of drugs is increasing;
- (b) if so, the action taken by the Government to reduce the use of drugs;
- (c whether the Government proposes to start de-addiction centres in all districts;
- (d) if so, the details of the action taken thereon;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to start de-addiction centres in all district hospitals and if So, the details thereof;

(f) whether the Government proposes to launch a campaign with participation so as to prevent abuse in the country; and public drug

- (g) if the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon? SO,

## ANSWER

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

(a): At present, there is no authentic data available in the Ministry in this regard.

(b) to (g): This Ministry implements a "Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance   (Drug) under which financial assistance is  provided to eligible Non-Governmental  Organizations, Panchayati Raj  Institutions, Urban Local  Bodies, District  Hospitals, etc. inter-alia, running and Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) for,

The number of de-addiction centres to be established in States/Union Territories depends on the number of proposals received from the State Governments/Union  Territories Administration. The parameters that are taken into consideration for recommending an organization to be eligible to receive grant from the Ministry include equal geographical spread ensuring due considerations to un-served and under-served areas.

Further, this Ministry has also prepared a National Action Plan for Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2023 . The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families. It focuses on preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of dependent persons and training Drug drug drug and capacity building of the service providers through collaborative efforts of the Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.

The NAPDDR gives emphasis on availability of IRCAs in each district Or aS per prevalence of addiction and also establishing and assisting de-addiction centres in District Government and Private Hospitals/Medical Colleges. The other activities under the NAPDDR, inter-alia, include:-

- awareness generation programme in schools involving students, teachers and parents;
- ii) conducting workshops, seminars and interaction with parents;
- iii) training of teachers and counselors on different assessment tools;
- iv)   increasing community participation and public cooperation in the reduction of demand for dependence producing substances by involving Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Urban Local National Service Scheme (NSS) and other local groups like Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Self Help Groups etc.

Besides, the Ministry has undertaken the following initiatives:-

- 1) 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 substances abuse in 156 schools in 22 districts of Punjab covering about 52,800 students.
2. ii) The Ministry has set up a National Toll Free De-addiction Helpline Number 1800-110031 we.f: 7.1.2015 to help the victims of abuse, their family and society at large. The Helpline has been made functional on 24x7 basis W.e.f. March; 2017. Drug drug
3. iii) The National   Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under this Ministry, conducts capacity   building programmes, sensitization and   preventive education programmes in schools and colleges on regular basis:
4. iv) The Ministry also uses print, electronic and social media for creating awareness. Information regarding ill-effects of alcoholism and abuse is also disseminated in regional languages through the AlI India Radio programme "Sanwarti Jayen Jeevan Ki Rahen' and also through advertisements in newspapers. drug
- V) The Ministry celebrates the International against Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th  June every year by holding functions and organizing exhibitions to sensitize the people about the ill effects of abuse. National Awards   are also conferred to individuals and institutions in order to recognize the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of substance abuse. Day Drug drug