MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT)
(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question *133 for answer on 08.12.2015 by Shri Prem Singh Chandumajra and Shri C.S. Putta Raju on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism
(a) There is no State wise authentic data available in this regard including for Punjab and Rajasthan.
(b) The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conducts following awareness generation programmes against Drug abuse:
1.1 The Ministry conducts campaign through 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 “Sanwarti Jayen Jeevan Ki Rahen” and also through advertisements in news papers.
1.2 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 recognise the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of drug abuse.
1.3 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.
1.4 National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an Autonomous body under the Ministry organizes sensitization programme in Schools and Colleges and skill development programmes for its target group in collaboration with Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs) and other collaborating partners.
2. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs have informed that they take following measures to prevent abuse of Narcotic Drugs and psychotropic substances in the country:
2.1 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.
2.2 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.
2.3 Display Boards in School Buses: To spread awareness among the children about the abuse of drugs.
2.4 Display Boards in Delhi Metro.
2.5 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.
2.6 Drug Awareness Display on NCB Facebook Page: To inform the public about the ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficking.
2.7 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.
2.8 Rallies, Dramas are conducted regularly in association with Non Government Organizations to spread awareness programmes all over the country.
2.9 SMS alerts of Drug Awareness are flashed through mobile service providers on special occasions.
2.10 Organization of Workshops and Seminars in coordination with various Govt. agencies and NGOs in the country about ill effects of drug abuse and trafficking.
2.11 NCB assess and analyse existing and emerging challenges, trends and operational capabilities to make appropriate interventions and advise the Central Government.
(c) The Ministry undertakes awareness and outreach programmes involving organizations like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme (NSS) etc. The Ministry, in the year 2011-12, had conducted an awareness generation programme in two states namely Punjab and Manipur which covered 3000 villages in ten districts of Punjab and 750 villages in seven districts of Manipur through the NYKS. The Ministry has again assigned a project to NYKS, in October 2014, for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation Programme in the remaining11 districts of Punjab and also for sustaining the pilot project of Awareness and Education for prevention of Drugs and Alcoholism in 10 districts.
2. The Ministry organized two Regional Workshops during the year 2015-16 in collaboration with NSS at Shillong and Indore to sensitize NSS Co-ordinators. Participants from the North Eastern States, Odisha and West Bengal attended the Workshop at Shillong and from Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Rajasthan at Indore. The Programmes were also attended by a large number of students and youth.
3. NISD participates in various fairs like India International Trade Fair, Shilpostav at Delhi Haat etc. by placing stalls for dissemination of information on drug abuse.
(d) Grant in aid released to the Non Governmental Organizations under the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse during last three years and the current year is placed at Annexure. The main reasons for under utilization of allocated funds under the above Scheme with respect budget estimate are either due to delay in submission of project proposals by the State Government or due to submission of proposals with incomplete supporting papers or papers not in the prescribed format as given under the guidelines of the Scheme.
(e) The Ministry intends to bring out a National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction.
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