Lok Sabha Question No. 416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Drug Abuse
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Bhojraj Nag

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.416 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2025

DRUG ABUSE

+416. SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

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

- (a) the schemes being implemented to prevent alcohol and drug abuse;
- (b) the efferts being made to prevent illegal sale of drugs; and
- (c) the number of complaints received against such illegal vendors in Chattisgarh and the number of vendors against whom action has been taken?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMER BM. VERMA

- (a): The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally sponsored scheme for drug demand reduction. The details of activities undertaken under the scheme are attached at Annexure-I.
- (b): As per information provided by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the efforts made by Government of India to prevent illegal sale of drugs is at Annexure-II.
- (c): As per information provided by Office of Commissioner (Customs), Government of Chhattisgarh,
- i. 26,378 complaints have been received against illegal vendors of liquor on which 89,651 litres of liquor has been seized and action has been taken against 17,699 accused persons.
- ii. 26 complaints have been received against illegal vendors of drugs on which 203.82 kg of drugs have been seized and action has been taken against 23 accused persons.

As per information provided by Home Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, a total of 1329 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in the state from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2024, leading to the arrest of 2149 accused persons. From the possession of the accused persons, 24631 kg of cannabis, 990 cannabis plants, 335.49 grams of brown sugar, 13614.7 grams of opium, 187136 tablets of narcotic drugs, 5057 syrups, 65993 capsules, 17085 injections, and other narcotic substances including 129.5 grams of heroin, 188 grams of cocaine, 5757 grams of MDMA, 90 MDMA tablets, and 4215.8 kg of poppy husk (doda) have been seized.

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## Annexure as referred to in reply to point (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 416 on "Drug Abuse" for 04.02.2025

The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) 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:

i. State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by States/UTs etc.

ii NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Community based peer Led intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs); and ili Government Hospitals for Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs)

2. Following activities have been undertaken under NAPDDR scheme:

i. Currently, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is providing financial assistance to 350 IRCAs, 46 CPLIs, 74 ODICs, 124 DDACs and 125 ATFs. All of these facilities have been geo-tagged for ease of access to those in need.

ii. A Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, '14446' is being maintained by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment for providing primary counselling and immediate referral services to the persons seeking help through his helpline. 4 lakh + calls have been received, so far on the helpline number.

ili. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and now it has been extended to all districts of the country. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses & schools.

iv. Till now, through the various activities undertaken under NMBA, 14.07+ crore people have been sensitized on substance use including 4.90+ crore youth and 2.93+ crore women. Participation of 4.12+ lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country.

v. MoUs have been signed 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.

vi. Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

vii. NMBA Website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) provides detailed information and insights to the user/viewer about the Abhiyaan, an online discussion forum, NMBA dashboard, e-pledge.

vili. A mass pledge/oath on NMBA was conducted on 12th August, 2024 and a total of about 3+ crore people from 2+ lakh institutions participated in the nationwide pledge.

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## ANNEXURE-II

Annexure as referred to reply to point (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 416 on "Drug Abuse" for 04.02.2025

i. As outcome of the 5'h Apex Level Committee meeting of NCORD, a dedicated AntiNarcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by ADG/IG level Police Officer has been established in each State/UT to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/UT and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.

ii. NCB coordinates with other agencies like, Navy, Coast Guard, BSF, State ANTF etc. to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.

- ili. Financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for strengthening their antinarcotics units under the scheme "Assistance to States & UTs".

iv. Border Guarding Forces (BSF, Assam Rifles and SSB) and other agencies like RPF and NIA have been empowered to take action under the NDPS Act 1985.

v. Intelligence Sharing and Controlled Delivery (CD) Operations within India and with foreign countries are being carried out regularly.

vi. Intensive preventive and interdiction efforts are taken along drug routes.

vii. A National Narcotics Helpline "Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra" (MANAS) was created as a 24x7, toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre. Accordingly MANAS has been envisioned as an integrated system providing a single platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/problems through various mode of communications like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.

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