In a move aimed at putting a check on drug abuse, the Ministry of Social Justice has issued an advisory to states and UTs. Through the advisory, the Centre has advised states to set up an interdepartmental group under Chief Secretary to ensure coordination between agencies responsible for reduction in drug supply and demand reduction activities.
Recognising that the problem of drug abuse requires coordinated and consistent efforts among different regulatory agencies, from both demand and supply side, the Centre’s advisory is aimed at bringing greater synchronisation of the government’s efforts in combating supply and demand aspects of drug abuse.
The states have also been asked to ensure facility of a de-addiction centre in each district, train an adequate number of doctors in every hospital in the state/UT, conduct sensitisation and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges, ensure sensitisation of all stakeholders, including district magistrates/collectors and CEOs of Zila Parishads, etc.
While the Centre would conduct a national survey on drug abuse, training of trainers, developing minimum standards of services for treatment and rehabilitation facilities, etc.