Substance use disorder is an issue which is adversely affecting the social fabric of the country. Dependence to any substance not only affects the individual’s health but also disrupts their families and the whole society. Regular consumption of various psychoactive substances leads to dependence of the individual. Some substance compounds may lead to neuro-psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, as well as accidents, suicides and violence. Therefore, substance use and dependence needs to be viewed as a psycho-social-medical problem.
To curb the menace of drug demand, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India has been implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by States/UTs etc. and NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (lRCAs), Community based peer Led lntervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents and Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) Addiction treatment facilities (ATFs) in Government Hospitals’ and District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) in the identified gap districts.
Further the Ministry has initiated ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) currently operational in 372 districts of the country with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools and reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement and ownership of the Abhiyaan. Achievements of NMBA are as under:
- Till now through the various activities undertaken on-ground 9.45+ crore people reached out so far.
- 8,000 Master Volunteers have been selected and trained to lead the Abhiyaan activities in the 372 identified districts
- More than 3.08+ crore youth have actively participated in the activities of the Abhiyaan and spreading on-ground the message against substance use. Around 4,000+ YuvaMandals, NYKS & NSS Volunteers, Youth Clubs have also been associated with the Abhiyaan.
- The contribution of 2.03+ Crore women have also been vital in reaching out to a larger community through the Anganwadi & ASHA Workers, ANMs, Mahila Mandals& Women SHGs
- Technology and Social media have been effectively utilized to spread the message of the Abhiyaan online by creating handles on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and sharing daily updates on them.
- An Android based mobile Application has been developed to capture the data of activities happening on ground on a real-time basis by the districts and master volunteers. This App has been placed on the Google Play Store.
- All the de-addiction facilities have been geo-tagged for ease of access by the public.
A special initiative under the NMBA is establishing Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in the Government hospitals. MoSJE has launched the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) program and the same is being coordinated nationally by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi. The MoSJE has identified 125 districts in the country for establishing ATFs. The programm is being scaled-up and the ministry is consulting various state governments and district administrations for identifying hospitals for establishing ATFs.
25 ATFs which have been sanctioned and ready, has been dedicated to the Nation in a ceremony held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi today. Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar dedicated these 25 ATFs to the Nation in the august presence of Minister of State for Home – Shri Nityanand Rai and Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment – Shri A. Narayanaswamy.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Home Affairs, NCB,doctors and other medical fraternity from AIIMS, New Delhi, staff members from some of ATFs, recovered users, NCC cadets etc. attended the event physically from the DAIC, New Delhi. On the other hand, senior officers of the participating hospitals and senior officials from the district administrations including DCs/DMs and SPsattended the event from the respective ATFs.All these ATFs joined the event virtually. Students from the educational institutions, NCC Cadets and officers from the NCC state directorates and many of the stakeholders watched the event live.
District Collector, Kathua spoke about the activities being undertaken under NMBA in J&K and especially in the district of Kathua. He emphasised the importance of NMBA which has led to large scale awareness and involvement of students, youth and women in the Abhiyaan. During the event a short film on ATF was screened which highlighted the concept and procedure for availing the facilities at the ATFs. Another film on NMBA was also screened highlighting the various activities undertaken by various districts under NMBA. e- Book on NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)- Best Practices was launched by the HMSJE during the event.
MoS(SJ&E) talked about National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and informed about the efforts of the Government about awareness, treatment & rehabilitation works conducted by the IRCA, ODIC & CPLI Centres under NAPDDR. He also informed that the Ministry has a budget of Rs.200 crore for the current year for drug demand reduction.
Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai informed about the various measures being taken by the MHA, NCB and various organizations. NCORD mechanism has been set up under the leadership of Hon’ble Home Minister which has led to the coordination between various departments of the Government of India. A large number of seizures and destruction of drugs by the Government has taken place. Governement of India is working for zero tolerance. MoS(Home) praised the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and its flagship Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
During the event, Union Minister (SJ&E) stressed that NMBA has now become a mass movement and it is spreading day by day and is very popular in youth and women. Hon’ble Minister stated the need for collective and community approach in solving the problem of addiction. It is the dream of the Government to bring back all addicted youth in main stream of the society and making India a drug free Country. With all out efforts being made by the Government, we can achieve the vision of Drug free India.
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MG/DP/RK