Question : DRUG MENACE AMONG YOUTH

(a) whether drug addiction amongst the youngsters/juveniles/street children is on the rise in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of youngsters/teenagers/ juveniles identified as drug addicts during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted/proposes to conduct any survey to find out the extent, pattern and trend of drug abuse in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has taken/ proposes to take any effective steps to check drug abuse and assist the State Governments by opening more drug de-addiction centres in the severely affected areas in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) whether the Government proposes to revise the scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) & (b): No authentic data is available in this regard.

(c): The Ministry had requested National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) to conduct a nationwide survey on extent, pattern and trend of alcohol and drug abuse. Accordingly, the NSSO has conducted pilot survey in cities of Mumbai, Amritsar and Imphal in March- April 2010. On examination of the report of the Pilot Survey, certain issues relating to under estimates, non-coverage of certain age group etc. were raised and a more comprehensive and extended pilot survey was suggested. A Working Group was constituted by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme implementation, with NSSO as nodal organization to devise the modalities of advanced pilot survey in the State of Punjab and Manipur. The report of the Working Group has been received recently.

(d) & (e): The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing a “Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse and for Social Defence Services”. The Scheme has provision of financial assistance to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies etc. for, inter-alia, running and maintenance of integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) and to provide composite/integrated services for the rehabilitation of the addicts. The Government of Punjab has approached this Ministry for financial assistance for running and maintenance of de-addiction centres that have been set up by them.

The details of the State/UT-wise funds released to the NGOs under the above-said Scheme during the last three financial years i.e. from 2012-13 to 2014-15 is enclosed as Annexure.

(f): The cost norms of the Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse have been revised w.e.f. 1.1.2015 and the enhancement under different components ranges 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 Centres for Addicts.