 |
| Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan |
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India
Problem
Drug Addiction is emerging to be a serious problem in India. It is having dangerous consequences not just for the person using drugs, but on the family and society at large.
Solution
Prevention has proven to be the most effective strategy to counter this problem.
The Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985 was enacted to
curb drug abuse.
NDPS policy bought out in 2012 to combat the drug menace in holistic manner.
Role of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment being the Nodal Ministry for Drug Demand Reduction coordinates, implements and monitors several interventions which include prevention, assessment of extent of the problem, treatment and rehabilitation of users, dissemination of information and generation of awareness among public.
To assess the magnitude of the problem of substance use in the country,
Ministry has done a comprehensive National Survey on Extant and Pattern of
Substance Use to ascertain the proportion of Indian population using
various substances and those affected by substance use disorders. The
findings of the National Survey were published in the year 2019 and may be
seen at www.socialjustice.nic.in.
Detailed Solution
Having accurate knowledge on the extent and pattern of substance use in India is a significant first step in working together to address and ultimately resolve this serious social health problem in India.
Findings revealed the usage of varied range of substances and combinations available to users has never been larger, and the amounts produced have never been greater.
There remain multiple factors at individual, micro and macro level that affect the vulnerability to drug use and its path to harmful use. The pattern of usage varied across the States and across age groups.
Action Plan of Ministry
In this context, Ministry has formulated a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), an umbrella scheme which includes components for preventive education and awareness generation, capacity building, treatment and rehabilitation, setting quality standards, focused intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, surveys, studies, evaluation and research.
Projects and schemes are funded for implementation and initiatives towards the Drug Demand Reduction in the country are carried out through the Government of India, State/UT Governments, implementing agencies like NGOs, Trusts, and Autonomous organizations, Technical Forums, Hospitals, and Prison Administrations and so on and so forth.