Government informed the just concluded parliament session that to address the problem of drug abuse among children and women, it has formulated and implemented National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Under this, the Government is taking a sustained and coordinated action for arresting the problem of substance abuse among the youth and women.
This includes launching of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 most vulnerable districts, later on extended to all districts of the country under which a massive community outreach is being done through more than 8000 youth volunteers. So far NMBA has reached out to more-than 10.72 crore people including 3.38 crore youth and 2.27 crore women.
340 Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs) are supported by the Government. These IRCAs not only provide treatment for the drug victims, but also give services of preventive education, awareness generation, motivational counseling, detoxification/de-addiction, after care and re-integration into the social mainstream. The government says it also provided support to special deaddiction centers for women and children.
Besides many Community based Peer led Intervention (CPLI) Centers are supported by the Government. These CPLIs focus on vulnerable and at risk children and adolescents. Under this, peer educators engage children for awareness generation and life skill activities.
As per Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an estimated 10 lakh residents in a population of 1.25 crore (or 8%) were drug addicts in J&K in 2019-20. 1,08,000 men and 36,000 women were found abusing cannabis; 5,34,000 men and 8,000 women were found consuming opioids; 1,60,000 men and 8,000 women were found using sedatives of different kinds; and 1,27,000 men and 7,000 women were reported to be on inhalants, the Ministry said.
There is a need to understand the problem in-depth and proper data to know the enormity becomes very essential. Those who seek help for getting them out from the clutches of addiction seem to be few and the overall problem appears to be colossal. There is a need for focused attention on how to rescue those who could be and also importantly how to wage a decisive war against the menace, targeting its roots.
While various measures by the government are welcome, a collaborative effort on the part of every stakeholder is imperative to check the menace and every individual, and various social organizations need to join hands together, raise awareness regarding the threat possessed by illicit drugs to one and all.
