Lok Sabha Question No. 303 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-01
Subject: Awareness Campaign against Narcotic Drugs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ARJUN RAM  MEGHWAL

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †303 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2015

## †303. AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AGAINST NARCOTIC DRUGS

## SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ARJUN MEGHWAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to launch large scale awareness campaign a abuse of narcotic drugs in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  work  being  done  by  Rashtriya  Samaj  Ra Sansthan in this field; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to streamline its for effective implementation across the co untry?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): The Ministry already conducts following awareness generation programmes a Drug abuse:
- i) Sensitization and preventive education programmes in collaboration with National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) in schools and colleges on regular basis.
- ii)  Awareness  and  outreach  programmes  involving  organizations  like  Nehru  Yuva  Ken Sangathan  (NYKS),  National  Service  Scheme  (NSS)  etc.  Due  to  high  r ate  of  prevalence  of addiction  in  Punjab,  the  Ministry  has  assigned,  in  October  2014,  an  awareness  gen programme  in  the  State  through  NYKS.  The  Ministry  organized  two  Regional  Workshop during year 2015 - 16 in collaboration with NSS at Shillong and I ndore to sensitize students. The Co - ordinators of NSS from all the North Eastern States, Odisha and West Bengal attended the Workshop at Shillong and NSS Co - ordinators from Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and R ajashtan attended  the  Workshop  at  Indore.  The  Programme  was  also  attended  by  a  large  number students.
- iii) The Ministry also uses print, electronic and social media for creating awareness. regarding ill - effects  of  alcoholism  and  drug  abuse  is  also  d seminated in regional languages

through the All  India Radio programme 'Sanwarti Jayen Jeevan Ki Rahen' and also through advertisement in news papers.

iv) The Ministry celebrates at International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 26 th June every  year  by holding  functions  and  organizing  exhibitions  to  sensitize  the  p about  the  ill  effects  of  drug  abuse.  National  Awards  are  also  conferred  to  indivi institutions in order to recognise the efforts and encourage excellence in the fi eld of prevention of substance abuse.

v) Ministry has set up a National Toll Free drug de - addiction helpline Number 1800 - 11- 0031 w.e.f. 07 .01.2015 to help the victims of Drug abuse, their family and society at large.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The National Ins titute of Social Defence (NISD) is the Nodal Institute for training and research in the field of social defence. The Institute is mainly ass of human resource development in the areas of substance abuse prevention, care of older and  o ther  social  defence  issues  including  beggary  prevention.  NISD  undertakes  foll activities in the field of drug abuse:

(i)  Organizes  sensitization  programme  in  Schools  and  Colleges  and  skill  develo programme for its target group in collaboration wi th Regional Resource and Training Centre s (RRTC) and other collaborating partners.

(ii)  Conducts  regular  Consultative  Meeting  with  functionaries  of  RRTCs  for  eff implementation of Sensitization nd Skill Development Programmes.

(iii) Participates in various fairs like India Interna tional Trade Fair, Shilpotsav at Delhi Haat  et by placing stalls for dissemination of information on drug abuse.

(iv)  In  order  to  strengthen  the  infrastructure  and  manpower  of  NISD  for  streamli functioning, all fo rmalities for construction of its own office building have been complete

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