The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had conducted a national survey on drug abuse in the country in the year 2000-2001. The report was published in 2004 wherein it was estimated that about 732 lakh persons in India were user of alcohol and drugs. However the sample size being small (40,697 males only) viz-a -viz the country’s population, the estimates can at best be taken as indicative only. Since considerable time has since passed, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has been requested to carry out an advanced pilot survey in 3 States viz. Punjab, Maharashtra and Manipur to test the efficacy of the sampling design and survey instruments for a National Survey.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 has been enacted, which provides for stringent penalties for consumption as well as for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Act also provides for setting up of treatment and rehabilitation centres.
To supplement the legal framework to curb the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse under which financial assistance is provided to implementing agencies for creating awareness and educating people, identification, motivation, counseling, de-addiction, after care and rehabilitation of addicts. Furthermore, the Central Government has undertaken the following activities to check the drug abuse in the country through awareness generation:
I. An awareness generation campaign about the ill effects of alcoholism and drug abuse has been undertaken in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS through its network of volunteers has created awareness among the youths in 3750 villages of Punjab and Manipur through door to door campaign, wall writings, candle march, poster campaigns, street plays etc.
II. An awareness generation programme in collaboration with National Bal Bhavan, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, has also been undertaken. National Bal Bhavan has conducted a series of activities like poster making, creative writing, lecture, rally, nukkad natak etc. at local, zonal and national level among the children of the age group of 12 to 16 years.
III. On 26th June every year International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed to generate awareness against drug abuse. On this occasion special campaign is undertaken to spread awareness through advertisements, SMS messages, workshops etc. State Governments are also requested to observe this day in a befitting manner.
IV. The National Institute of Social Defence in collaboration with Regional Resource and training Centres (RRTCs) and other collaborating partners organizes sensitization programmes in Schools and Colleges.
V. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has taken an initiative to address the school going children, their parents and school teachers so as to spread awareness among them on the adverse effects of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances.
VI. NCB with cooperation of Delhi Government has started fixing a "warning signage" in all pubs and Bars of Delhi to spread awareness regarding the consequences of drug trafficking and its abuse.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 has been enacted, which provides for stringent penalties for consumption as well as for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Act also provides for setting up of treatment and rehabilitation centres.
To supplement the legal framework to curb the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse under which financial assistance is provided to implementing agencies for creating awareness and educating people, identification, motivation, counseling, de-addiction, after care and rehabilitation of addicts. Furthermore, the Central Government has undertaken the following activities to check the drug abuse in the country through awareness generation:
I. An awareness generation campaign about the ill effects of alcoholism and drug abuse has been undertaken in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS through its network of volunteers has created awareness among the youths in 3750 villages of Punjab and Manipur through door to door campaign, wall writings, candle march, poster campaigns, street plays etc.
II. An awareness generation programme in collaboration with National Bal Bhavan, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, has also been undertaken. National Bal Bhavan has conducted a series of activities like poster making, creative writing, lecture, rally, nukkad natak etc. at local, zonal and national level among the children of the age group of 12 to 16 years.
III. On 26th June every year International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed to generate awareness against drug abuse. On this occasion special campaign is undertaken to spread awareness through advertisements, SMS messages, workshops etc. State Governments are also requested to observe this day in a befitting manner.
IV. The National Institute of Social Defence in collaboration with Regional Resource and training Centres (RRTCs) and other collaborating partners organizes sensitization programmes in Schools and Colleges.
V. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has taken an initiative to address the school going children, their parents and school teachers so as to spread awareness among them on the adverse effects of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances.
VI. NCB with cooperation of Delhi Government has started fixing a "warning signage" in all pubs and Bars of Delhi to spread awareness regarding the consequences of drug trafficking and its abuse.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
