(a) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to prevent illegal selling of tobacco and drugs/psychotropic substances in the country and to rehabilitate the children/adolescents addicted to tobacco and drugs;
(b) whether this problem is more prevalent in urban areas as compared to the rural areas;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs have informed that they take measures to prevent and combat abuse of and illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic substances in the country. They take following measures :
I Supply Reduction Measures:
• Coordination and sharing of intelligence with various law enforcement agencies of Centre like Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Excise and Customs and of state agencies like Police and State Excise.
• Training programmes are being regularly conducted for law enforcement officials for upgrading their skills to combating drug menace.
• Sharing of real time information and coordination operation with Nodal agencies of neighbouring countries.
• Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Coast Guards have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for making interdiction of narcotic drugs.
• Financial assistance is being provided to eligible States for strengthening their anti-narcotics units.
• Monetary rewards for information leading to seizures of Narcotic drugs/destruction of illicit crops to informers and officers are being provided.
• Prepare and execute action plan for destruction of illicit poppy and cannabis cultivation in coordination with State agencies. NCB also provides satellite images of areas under illegal cultivation of cannabis and poppy to state agencies through the Zonal office of NCB to State Agencies for effective destruction.
II. Demand Reduction Measures:
• Visit of NCB representative to Schools for conducting Awareness programmes: Organizing/conducting awareness programmes in Schools/colleges in different parts of India making the vulnerable classes of society aware of the abuse of narcotic drugs and its ill effects.
• Display Boards in Pubs and Bars and Airports have been installed/are being installed to spread awareness about the punishment provided in law for drug trafficking and its abuse.
• Display Boards in School Buses: To spread awareness among the children about the abuse of drugs.
• Display Boards in Delhi Metro.
• Drug Awareness Programme: Power Point Presentation compiling information on drug abuse and its health and economic costs useful for teachers, students and parents sent to all District Magistrates/Collectors of the Country to conduct awareness programmes in the schools/colleges falling in their jurisdiction.
• Drug Awareness Display on NCB Facebook Page: To inform the public about the ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
• Celebration of 26th June every year as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: NCB organizes International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th June every year in all field units of NCB to spread awareness among the general public about the ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
• Rallies, Dramas are conducted regularly in association with Non Government Organizations to spread awareness programmes all over the country.
• SMS alerts of Drug Awareness are flashed through mobile service providers on special occasions.
• Organization of Workshops and Seminars in coordination with various Govt. agencies and NGOs in the country about ill effects of drug abuse and trafficking.
• NCB assess and analyse existing and emerging challenges, trends and operational capabilities to make appropriate interventions and advise the Central Government.
III. International coordination Measures:
• India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on drug related matter with 11 countries and Bilateral Agreements with 23 countries.
• Director General level talks are held regularly with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
• Various Ministerial, Secretary level talks are held with neighboring countries.
2. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has informed that the Government has notified the “the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA)” which inter alia prohibits sale of tobacco products around 100 yards of educational institutes and sale to and by persons under eighteen years of age.
3. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements a “Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse” under which financial assistance is provided to eligible Non-Government Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies etc for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts to provide composite/integrated services for the rehabilitation of addicts for all sections of the Society including addicted children/adolescents.
(b) to (d) There is no authentic data available in this regard.