Lok Sabha Question No. 4658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Drug Addiction in Universities
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## Drug Addiction in Universities

## † 4658. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

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

- (a) whether the youth are facing difficulties in completing their higher education due to prevalence of drug addiction in education campuses;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) the details of such universities/university campuses is identified by the Government where the situation of drug addiction is widespread; and
- (d) the step taken/being taken by the Government to tackle this problem?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a) & (b): No , Sir. There is no confirmed report to conclude that the youth are facing difficulties  in  completing  their  higher  education due  to prevalence  of  drug addiction in education campuses.  Nevertheless, the Government is committed to create a drug free healthy educational environment in various education campuses.
- (c): University-wise details on drug abuse is not centrally maintained.
- (d): The Government has, inter-alia,  taken  the  following  measures  to  ensure  that drug abuse does not occur in Higher Educational Institutions: -
- i. The Government has been creating awareness among the youth through print, electronic  and  social  media  along  with  conducting  workshops  in  education campuses about the harmful effects of drugs.
- ii. Especially on 26th June every year, on the occasion of the 'International Day against  Drug  Abuse  and  Illicit  Trafficking',  special  awareness  measures  are taken in various educational institutions to sensitize the students against drug hazards.
- iii.  The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  issued  a  circular  to  all  Vice Chancellors for implementation of the actionable points of the National Policy on Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS). Para 55 of the NDPS deals with  steps  to tackle  the  problem  of  sale  of  drug  to  school  and  college children.
- iv.  Ministry of  Social  Justice and Empowerment has been conducting awareness generation  programmes,  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.
- v. Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment  is  also  running  a  National  TollFree Drug De-addiction Helpline Number 1800-11-0031 on 24 x 7 basis to help the victims of drug abuse, their family and society at large.
- vi.  The Narcotics  Control  Bureau (NCB), under the  Ministry of  Home  Affairs has been organizing workshops and seminars in coordination with various government agencies and NGOs in the country about ill effects of drug abuse and trafficking.
- vii. The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, conducts capacity building programmes,  sensitization  and  preventive  education  programmes  in  schools and colleges on regular basis.

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