(a) whether the Government is aware that drug addiction is on the rise amongst the youths in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to revise the scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) abuse;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the success achieved so far in the prevention and control of alcoholism and substance abuse in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) No authentic data is available in this regard.
(b) & (c)The Ministry has been implementing the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86. Under this scheme, financial assistance up to 90% of the approved expenditure is given to the voluntary organizations and other eligible agencies for setting up/running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs). In the case of North-Eastern States, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir, the quantum of assistance is 95% of the total admissible expenditure. Earlier the cost norms of the Scheme were revised three times i.e. in 1994, 1999 and 2008. The cost norms of the Scheme have again been revised w.e.f. 01.01.2015 and the enhancement under different components is between 80 and 100 percent. The cost norms generally cover honorarium to the staff, room rent, cost of medicine, food etc. for running of Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts.
(d) Approximately one lakh victims of drug abuse are benefitted every year under this Scheme. Besides the Ministry conducts following awareness generation programmes against 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 Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme (NSS) etc. Due to high rate of prevalence of addiction in Punjab, the Ministry has assigned, in October 2014, an awareness generation programme in the State through NYKS. The Ministry organized two Regional Workshops during year 2015-16 in collaboration with NSS at Shillong and Indore to sensitize students. The Coordinators of NSS from all the North Eastern States, Odisha and West Bengal attended the Workshop at Shillong and NSS Coordinators from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan attended the Workshop at Indore. The Programme was also attended by a large number of students.
iii) The Ministry also uses print, electronic and social media for creating awareness. Information regarding ill-effects of alcoholism and drug abuse is also disseminated in regional languages through the All India Radio programme “SanwartiJayen Jeevan Ki Rahen” and also through advertisements in newspapers.
iv) The Ministry celebrates the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th June every year by holding functions and organizing exhibitions to sensitize the people about the ill effects of drug abuse. National Awards are also conferred to individuals and institutions in order to recognize the efforts and encourage excellence in the field 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.