Latest news with #NAPDDR
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
From classrooms to communities: Punjab's multi-level plan to warn students about drug abuse
Chandigarh: In a renewed push under its state-wide anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashian De Virudh, the Punjab school education department has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to implement drug de-addiction and awareness programmes in govt schools across the state. The move comes as the state govt prepares to launch the second phase of the campaign, which will focus on skill development, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected youth. Experts have long raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of adolescents to drug exposure, and the shift underscores the state's emphasis on early intervention and community-based engagement. As Punjab transitions to this next phase, the integration of preventive education with rehabilitation and skill-building pathways is seen as a holistic approach to tackling the drug crisis. As part of the school-level intervention, the education department has directed all school principals and district education officers to appoint dedicated nodal officers responsible for coordinating anti-drug activities on campus. These officers will oversee the implementation of major programmes such as the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the Navchetna module, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) campaign, and the Buddy Programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch xu hướng AUD/USD? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo These efforts are being carried out in close coordination with the Punjab Police and the state health department. The department has made it clear that these measures will be closely monitored and evaluated as part of a wider, state-supported strategy to combat substance abuse from the grassroots level. All schools have been instructed to maintain a dedicated register documenting the name and designation of the appointed nodal officer, their training status under the Navchetna module, and a record of all anti-drug activities conducted. These include awareness sessions, parent-teacher meetings (PTMs), and community outreach programmes involving local stakeholders. In addition to maintaining these records, schools are also required to submit weekly reports every Monday. These must detail key activities such as PTM-based awareness sessions, the involvement of Narcotics Anonymous and health department teams, coordination with local law enforcement, and the functioning of student Buddy Groups. The department has emphasised that these initiatives are not merely about procedural compliance but represent a fundamental shift toward cultivating a drug-free academic environment. Schools are being encouraged to actively engage students, parents, and teachers through interactive workshops, counselling sessions, and locally-driven awareness campaigns. Director SCERT, Kiran Sharma, said the objective is to raise awareness among students and steer them away from drugs. "A comprehensive, month-wise action plan has been drawn up, and its implementation is under way. The campaign will continue until Feb next year, with a special focus on sensitising students above the age of 15," she added. MSID:: 121993707 413 |
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
BL Verma attends 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' event on International Day against Drug Abuse in New Delhi
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Union Minister BL Verma attended the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' programme organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in New Delhi on Thursday, as per a press release. While speaking at the event, he said, 'Repercussions of substance use are not confined to the individual and his family; they ripple outward, affecting communities and contributing to broad societal changes and social stigma.' According to the official statement, the Minister highlighted and appreciated the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) scheme of the Ministry and explained how the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) has helped reduce the demand for drugs. He hailed the efforts of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, in which the message - 'Say No to Drugs and Say Yes to Life' - would play a seminal role. The event took place at Bhim Auditorium, Dr Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath, New Delhi, and began at 11:00 am. The programme aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and strengthen the government's ongoing fight against substance abuse. As per the release, the nukkad natak and pantomime performance during the event enlightened the audience on how substance use disorder is an issue that is adversely affecting the social fabric of the country. Dependence on any substance not only affects the individual's health but also disrupts their families and the whole society. Regular consumption of various psychoactive substances leads to dependence in the individual. Some substance compounds may lead to neuro-psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, as well as accidents, suicides and violence. Substance use and dependence need to be viewed as a psycho-social-medical problem, and the performances highlighted. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction in the country. It has initiated the ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), which is currently operational in all districts of the country with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools and reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement and ownership of the Abhiyaan, as per the official statement. The programme witnessed the participation of approximately 700 stakeholders, including Ministry officials, representatives of central ministries, spiritual organisations, academic institutions, NGOs/Voluntary Organisations, corporate entities, and youth volunteers. As a run-up to the day, all states/UTs and NGOs/VOs supported by the Department under NAPDDR across the country were requested to organise and conduct awareness programmes/events under NMBA from June 1st to 26th, 2025. With this programme, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment ensures to reach out to the Abhiyaan in the whole Country as Jan Andolan, as per the release. Each year, 26th June is observed as the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking'. This year, the event included cultural programmes on drug prevention, mass pledge to create awareness about the importance of prevention and treatment of drug abuse, distribution of prizes to the winners of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan competitions organised on MyGov, etc. (ANI)
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala faces crisis as rehab centres for drug-addicted children struggle amid funding delays
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With substance abuse among minors emerging as a growing concern, lack of dedicated rehabilitation centres for children and adolescents are becoming a huge challenge in Kerala. There are only two government-aided centres for children in the state and both these facilities are unable to cater to the increasing number of cases being reported. These facilities are yet to get the promised grant from the government. As per the data released by the Excise Department, as part of the Vimukthi project, the number of children coming to Vimukthi centres have gone up in recent years. In 2024, around 2,880 children were treated at Vimukthi de-addiction centres. This year, as many as 588 children sought treatment as of February in Kerala. The state government decided to open two centres jointly with NGOs exclusively for children back in 2021 under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Samrudha Care Centre for Children in Changanassery is the facility for boys and since its launch, this 25-bedded facility has treated around 260 children. T M Mathew of Samrudha Care Centre for Children said that, 'We are getting umpteen number of calls everyday. All beds are occupied. Many children are coming here with a history of multiple drug abuse and it takes time to recover,' said T M Mathew. He said that the government owes grants to the tune of over Rs 1. 5 crore to the facility. 'At present, Changanassery Archdiocese and Changanassery Social Service Society are advancing the running cost. Apart from the grant received when we launched, the government hasn't released the grant,' said T M Mathew. These centres offer three months of regular counselling, medication, yoga, sports, arts therapy, personality development classes and group therapy to help children regain their lives from addiction. Director Father Joseph Parecattil of Nirmal Nikedhan Mukthi Sadan, de-addiction centre for minor girls, said that they are unable to cater to the growing demand for rehabilitation among children. 'We are offering treatment for girls above 10 years of age. We have only 20 beds and we have treated around 360 children since its launch. Now people are more aware of drug abuse and hence the number of enquiries have gone up,' said Father Joseph. He said that the government owes around `1.28 crores as grant to the institute. Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Social Justice said that the state is unable to claim the grant from the Centre owing to technical reasons. 'We have already taken up this matter with the Centre. In the recent meeting, we raised this issue as rehab facilities for children is becoming the need of the hour,' said the official.
