MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) & (b): The Government of NCT Delhi’s survey on mapping and estimation of street children who use drugs in Delhi was financed by this Ministry. The survey was conducted by AIIMS during the year 2015 and as per findings of the report, it was estimated that 22.1 % of all street children of NCT of Delhi have used some substance excluding tobacco in the last one year. The estimate number of children who have used various substances in last one year are tobacco- 21770, alcohol- 9450, inhalants- 7910, cannabis- 5600, heroin-840, opium- 420, pharmaceutical opioids-210 sedatives- 210 street children and injecting drug use-210.
(c): National Crime Records Bureau have informed that a total of 53 and 34 unnatural accidental deaths were reported due to drug overdose (including Medicinal/ Narcotics & Psychotropic Drugs) by the children ( below 18 years ) during 2015 and 2016* respectively. State/UT-wise details during 2015-2016* is enclosed as annexure. [*Data for the year 2016 is provisional].
(d): The Ministry has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories on 11.8.2016 for taking coordinated action to address the problem of drug abuse which, inter-alia, includes prevention of substance abuse among children in the country such as:-
i) Conducting Sensitization and Preventive education programmes in schools and colleges throughout the year.
ii) Establishing separate and specialized de-addiction treatment centres/facilities for drug dependent children, especially in Government Hospitals/Medical colleges.
iii) Providing treatment facilities for those in the Juvenile Justice Systems including Juvenile Homes and Children Homes.
iv) Providing appropriate facilities for children including street children.
v) Creating awareness generation through Youth organizations like Nehru Yuva Kendra, National Service Scheme (NSS) and through print, electronic and social media.
The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under this Ministry, conducts sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges on regular basis. During the year 2017-18, NISD has conducted 247 awareness generation programmes in various Schools and Universities/Colleges covering 23006 beneficiaries.
In addition, the Ministry implements a "Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse" which provides financial assistance to eligible Non-Governmental Organizations, Panchayati Raj Institution, Urban Local Bodies, etc. for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres of Addicts (IRCAs) to provide composite/integrated services for the rehabilitation of addicts including child users.
Ministry of Women and Child Development have informed that they have recently enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 which has come into effect from 15.01.2016. As per Section 2 (14) (ix) of Juvenile Justice Act who is found vulnerable and is likely to be inducted into drug abuse or trafficking is included as a child in need of care and protection.
Under Section 77 whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees. Under Section 78 whoever uses a child, for vending, peddling, carrying, supplying or smuggling any intoxicating liquor, narcotic drug or psychotropic substance, shall be liable for rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine up to one lakh rupees
Under Section 93 (1) Where it appears to the Committee or the Board that any child kept in a special home or an observation home or a Children’s Home or in an institution in pursuance of the provisions of this Act, is a mentally ill person or addicted to alcohol or other drugs which lead to behavioural changes in a person, the Committee or the Board , may order removal of such child to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1987 or the rules made thereunder. Section 93 (2) In case the child had been removed to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home under sub-section (1), the Committee or the Board may, on the basis of the advice given in the certificate of discharge of the psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home, order to remove such child to an Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts or similar centres maintained by the State Government for mentally ill persons (including the persons addicted to any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance) and such removal shall be only for the period required for the inpatient treatment of such child.
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