New Delhi: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has issued an Advisory on 11.08.2016 to all the States/UTs on combating drug abuse which advises them to prepare an Action Plan which, inter-alia, includes conducting sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges throughout the year.
National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous organization under the Ministry, conducts capacity building programmes, sensitization and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges on regular basis. During the year 2016-17, they conducted 54 capacity building & skill development programmes imparting training to 1332 persons. During the year 2016-17, they have also conducted 207 awareness generation programme covering 15516 beneficiaries.
Till now, during the year 2017-18, NISD has conducted 127 capacity building programme imparting training to 4488 persons. They have also conducted 247 awareness generation programmes in various Schools and Universities/Colleges covering 23006 beneficiaries.
Besides, the Ministry has undertaken the following initiatives:-
i) The Ministry has, in the year 2016, conducted an awareness generation programme, in collaboration with Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY), to create awareness in children and youth about the harmful effects of substance abuse in 156 schools in 22 districts of Punjab covering about 52,800 students.
ii) The Ministry organized two Regional Workshops during the year 2015-16, in collaboration with National Service Scheme (NSS), at Shillong and Indore. 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 “Sanwarti Jayen 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) The 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. The Helpline has been made functional on 24 x 7 basis w.e.f. March, 2017.
