(a) whether de-addiction camps are being organised regularly by the Ministry;
(b) if so, the number of beneficiaries in such camps with special reference to Thane of Maharashtra;
(c) the details of drug addicts in the country during the last four years and the current year, State and year-wise;
(d) the number of calls received on National Tollfree Helpline number during the last two years and the current year; and
(e) the action taken on those calls?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) & (b): This Ministry implements a “Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse”. The Scheme has the provision of financial assistance to Non-Governmental Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies etc. for, inter-alia, running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts(IRCAs) and to provide composite/ integrated services for the rehabilitation of the addicts. These IRCAs are responsible for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation programmes in their neighbourhood, educational institutions, workplace and slums with the purpose of sensitizing the community about the impact of addiction and the need to take professional help for treatment. The total number of beneficiaries under the scheme during the last year (2018-19) were 77479 out of them 161 beneficiaries were of Thane of Maharashtra.
(c): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has conducted a National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in 2018. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi was entrusted with the responsibility to lead the technical and scientific aspects of the National Survey.
As per the report, Alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by Cannabis and Opioids. About 16 Crore persons in the country consume alcohol, 3.1crore use cannabis products, 2.26 crore use opioids and approximately 1.18 crore use sedatives. The report further stipulates that 2.9 crore individuals suffer from alcohol dependence, 25 lakh from cannabis dependence, 28 lakh from opioid dependence and 11.8 lakh are using sedatives in dependant pattern.
(d) & (e): This Ministry has setup a National Toll Free Drug de-addiction Helpline No. 1800-11-0031 w.e.f. 7th January, 2015 to help the victims of drug abuse, their family & society at large. The helpline has become operational 24x7 since March, 2017. The total number of call received till now is as below-
Sr. No. Year Call Received on National Toll Free Helpline
1. 2017 41060
2. 2018 69036
3. 2019 26640
Out of the total call received, a total of 136736 calls answered. Out of the total answered calls, 6868 callers were counselled over call to quit alcohol/drug and rest of the callers were provided requisite information on the schemes implemented, de-addiction centres assisted and initiatives taken by this Ministry for drug de-addiction.
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