Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan launched in 272 districts

On September 20, 2020, the minister of state for Social justice and Empowerment Shri Ratan Lal Kataria said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha that the Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in more than 272 districts so far. The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction has been formulated and is being implemented by the Ministry Of Social justice and empowerment under the programme. The scheme is being implemented between 2018 and 2025.

Highlights

The National Plan for Drug Demand Reduction aims to reduce consequences of drug abuse. It includes awareness generation programs in schools and colleges, capacity building of service providers and provisioning of treatment facilities.

 Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan annual Action Plan 2020-21

It was launched on international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.  The day celebrated on 26 June every year. The plan has following components

• To create awareness generation programs
• To focus on University campuses higher educational institutions and schools.
• To focus on treatment facilities and infrastructure in hospitals
• to strength and capacity building programs that are already being implemented by the service providers.
• To reach communities and identify dependent population.
• To setup de addiction facilities
• To promote peer led community-based outreach programs focusing on highest population. This predominantly targets the youth of the country.
• To establish integrated rehabilitation Centre for addicts. These centres will reach out to communities and help those affected by drug addiction

Background

The plan is being implemented in 272 districts and the districts were identified by the narcotics control bureau. These districts are mostly from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and North Eastern States. These districts are highly affected by drug abuse. The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was specifically launched in 2015 by the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. This was mainly because the National list of districts that are mostly affected by substance abuse says that 18 of 22 districts of Punjab are affected.

Around 8.5 lakh Indians inject drugs and 4.6 lakh children need help for inhalant dependence and around 7.7 million Indians or need of help for opioid dependence.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2020