CENTRE CALLS FOR NETWORKING TO EFFECTIVELY TACKLE DRUG ABUSE
Centre has called
for networking of various agencies in the government, private
sector and NGOs for tackling the problem of drug abuse in a holistic
manner. Presiding over a function on the eve of `International
Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ‘ here today, the
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya
said that there is need for coordinating our resources to supplement
each other. Dr. Jatiya said that his Ministry has taken up with
the State Governments the need for setting up model centres to
provide integrated services for the rehabilitation of an addict.
He said such model centres one each in rural urban areas would
provide services like out reach cum counseling, treatment and
rehabilitation. Dr. Jatiya expressed concern of his Ministry for
not reaching out the most vulnerable target groups constituting
of socio-economically marginalised sections. He said that increasing
incidence of substance abuse amongst the street children is disturbing.
Referring to the role of UN Agencies, Dr. Jatiya called for their
greater resource input. He also sought the support of FICCI in
running alcohol and drug abuse prevention programmes at workplaces.
He said that his Ministry would encourage all means of communication
for educating people on drug abuse. Dr. Jatiya announced institution
of National Awards by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry
for outstanding services for prevention of alcoholism and drug
abuse to be given away each year on this day.
Earlier in a message
read out at the function, the United Nations Secretary General
Kofi Annan said that this year’s theme ‘Let us talk about drugs’
sums up the best starting point for tackling the problem. He said
that an estimated 200 million people worldwide constituting an
alarming 4.7% of the global population use illicit drugs. He said
that while talking about drug abuse we should address the potential
causes and not just the abuse in isolation.
Delivering the keynote
address, the Joint Secretary in the SJ&E Ministry, Smt. Jayati
Chandra said that a national survey undertaken by the Ministry
has revealed disturbing trends on the extent and pattern of drug
abuse in the country. She said that 3 million people are addicted
to drugs and more than 10 million to alcohol. Majority of them
belongs to the productive age group between 21 to 40 years. Smt.
Chandra said what is more concerning is that the age of getting
introduced to drugs is gradually getting reduced.
The Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment under the Scheme for Prohibition and Drug
Abuse Prevention is giving grant-in-aid upto 90% to eligible NGOs
for providing services through the counseling and awareness centres,
de-addiction cum rehabilitation centres and for running awareness
programmes. Around 400 voluntary organisations are financially
assisted for maintaining 450 Centres all over the country comprising
of about 300 De-addiction –cum Rehabilitation Centres and 90 Counseling
and Awareness Centres. About 25 crore rupees are annually released
for this scheme. More than 4 lakh victims of drug abuse are being
assisted annually at these Centres. Over Rs. 140 crore have been
allocated under the 10th Plan for prevention and control
of drug abuse.
Dr. Satyanarayan
Jatiya released the book "Women and Drug Abuse – The Problem in
India" brought out jointly by the Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC
on this occasion. Dance Choregrapher Ms. Geeta Chandran presented
a performance on this year theme ‘Lets talk about drugs’ at the
end. The function was jointly organised by SJ&E Ministry,
UNODC – ROSA, Federation of Indian NGOs for Drug Abuse Prevention,
Delhi NGO Forum for Drug Abuse Prevention and the FICCI.
