On 26th June 2019, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment commemorated the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day was marked by significant emphasis on a robust approach to combat the menace of drug abuse. This approach centres on:
1. Universal Accessibility of Treatment
2. Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation under National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR)
3. Targeted Intervention for High-Risk Districts
4. Special focus on Vulnerable Population in Closed Settings
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has put into action the NAPDDR for the years 2018-2025. The goal is to diminish the adverse impacts of drug abuse via a strategy that incorporates education, de-addiction, and rehabilitation of affected individuals as well as their families. This strategy emphasizes preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons. Furthermore, it includes training and capacity building of the service providers via collaborative efforts from Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Government Intervention
In addressing the prevention and rehabilitation aspects of substance use, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has established rehabilitation centres run by non-governmental organizations. The Drug De-addiction Programme (DDAP) launched in 1988 under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, focuses on providing treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).
Globally Adopted Approaches to Address Drug Abuse
Three broad global strategies to address drug use include “supply reduction”, “demand reduction”, and “harm reduction.”
The “supply reduction” effort aims at decreasing the availability of illicit drugs by implementing relevant drug laws and policies. This section is primarily managed by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and several other central or state government agencies.
Indian Government’s Multifaceted Strategy
| Strategy Type | Description | Implementing Body |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Reduction | Reducing availability of illicit drugs by enforcing drug laws and policies | Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Demand Reduction | Reducing drug demand through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Harm Reduction | Prevention of HIV among people who inject drugs | National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
The “demand reduction” aspect deals with diminishing the demand for drugs in the population through prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India, serves as the key ministry for demand reduction. It has had a “Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse” in place since 1985-86. Lastly, “harm reduction” primarily focuses on preventing HIV among people who inject drugs, with strategies being implemented by the National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
