Lok Sabha Question No. 165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-11
Subject: Awareness on Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2018

## AWARENESS ON DRUG ABUSE

## 165.DR PK BIJU:

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

- (a) the details of cases of addiction reported during the last three years and the current year among the age group of 11-25 years, across the country, State and year-wise; drug
- (b) whether the University Grants Commission has issued guidelines regarding abuse cases and general awareness campaign among the youth; drug
- (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d) the number of counselling centres set up in the country, specially in Kerala; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for awareness generation and educating about the ill effects of addiction/abuse? people drug

## 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. 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 who are suffering from substance use disorders. Drug people

- (b) & (c): University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that had issued a Circular on to all the Vice-Chancellors to convey to all  Colleges   affiliated to  their University to in place a mechanism to ensure strict compliance of the instructions contained in 55 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Policy i.e. *Preventing sale of to both school and college children they 27th put para drugs

UGC has also issued a Circular on April, 2013 to the Vice Chancellors requesting them to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of The cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 and to enforce the anti-tobacco rules and make it a policy. 2nd

(d) & (e): This Ministry implements a "Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Abuse under which   financial assistance is  provided to eligible Non-Governmental Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies etc. inter-alia,  running and maintenance of   Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs): These   IRCAs,  inter-alia,  provide  counseling   services to druglalcohol addicts. At present, this Ministry provides financial assistance to 424 IRCAs in the country including 23 IRCAs in Kerala. for,

The Ministry has issued an Advisory on 11.08.2016 to all the States/UTs on combating abuse which advises them to prepare an Action Plan which, inter-alia, includes conducting sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges throughout the drug year.

The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under this Ministry, conducts sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges on regular basis.

the year 2017-18, NISD has conducted 247 awareness generation programmes in various Schools and Universities/Colleges covering 23006 beneficiaries During

Besides, the Ministry has undertaken the following initiatives: -

- 1) The Ministry has, in the year 2016, conducted an awareness 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.
- 11) 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 All India Radio programme "Sanwarti Jayen Jeevan Ki Rahen and also through advertisements in newspapers drug
3. iii) 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 Day Drug drug

institutions in order to recognize   the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of substance abuse.

- The Ministry has set up a National Toll Free De-addiction Helpline Number 1800-11 0031 the victims of abuse, their family and society at large. iv) Drug help drug

The Helpline has been made functional on 24 x 7 basis W.e.f: March, 2017.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has informed that are spreading awareness for reducing abuse of by taking following steps: they drugs

- i. Visit of NCB representatives to schools for conducting awareness programmes.
- ii. Display Boards in school buses, public transport; in Pub, Bars & Airport:
- iii. awareness programmes at prominent places. Drug
- iv. Distribution of Pamphlets having information at prominent public places: drug
- V. Celebration of 26th June every year as the International against Abuse and illicit Trafficking: Day Drug
- vi. Rallies, street plays are conducted regularly in association with NGOs to spread awareness programmes all over the country.
- vii. SMS alerts of Drug Awareness are flashed through mobile service providers.

Organization of Workshops and Seminars   in coordination with various Govt    agencies and NGOs in the country about ill effects of abuse and trafficking: drug

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