Bhubaneswar: Drug addiction is emerging to be a serious problem in the country having dangerous consequences not just for the person using drugs, but on the family and society at large.
Prevention has proven to be the most effective strategy to counter this problem. Integrated and convergent approach to fight drug menace is emphasized in the State level meeting of Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhijan, today.
Organised by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of PwDs, the meeting discussed various aspects on Nisha Mukta Abhijan in the State.
SSEPD Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi emphasized social media campaigns to substantiate awareness drives and to involve sports persons, leaders, youth icons, voluntary agencies and civil societies in the drive.
He said that National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), an umbrella scheme which includes components for preventive education and awareness generation, capacity building, treatment and rehabilitation, setting quality standards, focused intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, surveys, studies, evaluation and research.
Projects and schemes are funded for implementation and initiatives towards the drug demand reduction in the country are carried out through various agencies. The role of NGOs, trusts and autonomous organizations, technical forums, hospitals and prison administrations is also significant in the drive.
Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Soumendra Priyadarshi said that the students’ community should be initiated as volunteers in the drive. He stressed on government and non-government interventions for monitoring, enforcement and prevention activities.
In Odisha, 15 districts were covered under Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhijan in the first phase. Now it was extended to all the districts. Awareness campaigns through competitions have been completed in 10 districts while around 500 master volunteers have been trained to participate in the drive.
S.K. Pradhan, Additional Secretary, SSEPD gave a short presentation on the Department’s activities while Niyati Patnaik, Director gave the introductory address.
Senior officers from government departments, representatives from different NGOs, social workers, retired administrators, clinical psychologists, Lawyers and volunteers participated in the discussion.
