Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implementing a Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse for the ‘Whole Person Recovery’ of the addicts as part of our community based intervention and treatment strategy. The is the flagship scheme of Ministry in the field of drug demand deduction. The scope of the scheme includes awareness, early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation to ensure reintegration of the addicts into the social mainstream. Under the Scheme we are supporting more than 400 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCA) run by Non-Government Organizations. Under this scheme financial assistance can also be provided to Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies for running projects. In order to involve the rural and urban local bodies in an effective manner, we are going to take up this matter with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Urban Development. 

Imparting quality training to the volunteers/ service providers and other stakeholders is very crucial for the success of our initiatives. National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an autonomous body under the Ministry, is working in this regard. In addition, eleven voluntary organizations having long experience and expertise in treatment, rehabilitation, training and research are designated as Regional Resource & Training Centers (RRTCs) for training of service providers, research, advocacy and monitoring at the regional/ state levels. 

As a part of convergence and inter-sectoral collaboration, my Ministry has been following an integrated approach involving the concerned Ministries and Departments who could complement and supplement the initiatives being taken by each other. For example, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has taken the initiatives for imparting education on drug abuse and positive alternative to the youth through appropriate modification in school curriculum and sensitization of school environment.