Lok Sabha Question No. 385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Saumitra Khan

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.385 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2025

## NASHA MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAN

385. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

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

- (a) what is the estimated number of drug addicts in each district of West Bengal as per the latest available data:
- (b) what specific measures have been implemented under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to combat drug abuse in West Bengal, and what has been the observed impact of these initiatives; and
- (c) what steps are being taken to strengthen de-addiction, rehabilitation, and anti-drug enforcement efforts in the State?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a): As per the Comprehensive National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted in 2019, the estimated number of substance users are available only at State level. The estimated number of substance users as per the survey in West Bengal is as under:-
- " (b): Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15" August 2020 by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and has subsequently been extended to all districts of the country. At present, West Bengal has not implemented NMBA in any district.
- (c): The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Department for drug demand reduction in the country. To tackle the issue of substance use, this Department is implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme under which financial assistance is provided to States & NGOs. Under NAPDDR, following steps have been undertaken by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment to strengthen de-addiction, rehabilitation, and anti-drug enforcement efforts in West Bengal:
- i. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is providing financial assistance to 8 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), 2 Community based peer Led interventions (CPLIs), 1 Outreach and Drop In Centre (ODIC), 9 District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), 1 State Level Coordinating Agency(SLCA) and 2 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Government Hospital. In FY 2023-24, funds of Rs. 4.06 Crore were released to NGOs running various facilities of IRCA, CPLI, ODIC, DDAC & SLCA.
- ii. The Department has provided financial assistance to the State Government for setting up of de-addiction facility in five correctional homes.
- ili. A Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, 14446 is being maintained by the Ministry for providing primary counseling and immediate referral services to the persons seeking help through this helpline. Till date, 15000+ calls have been received from West Bengal since its inception.
- iv. The Ministry has signed MoUs with Spiritual organizations like The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON, Shri Ram Chandra Mission and All World Gayatri Pariwar to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities across the country including West Bengal.

|              | Prevalence (in %)   | TEstimated number   |
|--------------|---------------------|---------------------|
| Alcohol      | 3.20                | 2700000             |
| Cannabis     | 0.17                | 144000              |
| Opioids      | 0.41                | 343000              |
| Cocaine      | <0.01               | <1000               |
| Inhalant     | 0.11                | 92000               |
| Sedative     | 0.13                | 112000              |
| ATS          | <0.01               | <1000               |
| Hallucinogen | <0.01               | <1000               |

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