Government drafts five-year action plan to address drug abuse in the country

Government drafts five-year action plan to address drug abuse in the country

Question: Recently which ministry of government drafted plan to address drug abuse in the country?
(a) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
(b) Ministry of Coal
(c) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(d) Ministry of Communications
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

  • On 14th January, 2019, an official in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notified that a five-year action plan has drafted for addressing the problem of drug and substance abuse in the country.
  • The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (2018-2023) aims to employ many faceted strategies — involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families — to address the issue.
  • The move comes after the ministry withdrew the draft National Drug Demand Reduction Policy from the Cabinet. It had been pending for more than five-and-half years and was redrafted twice during the period.
  • The Ministry has planned several measures, including co-ordination with implementing agencies for controlling the sale of sedatives, painkillers and muscle relaxant drugs, and checking the online sale of drugs.
  • Plans are also afoot for awareness generation through social, print, digital and online media, and engagement of celebrities, involving various govt. & non-govt. institutions besides strengthening the national toll free helpline for drug prevention.
  • Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also asked states and union territories to prepare action plan for ensuring facility of de-addiction centres in each district or as per prevalence of addiction and also establish separate and specialized de-addiction treatment centres.
  • Modules for re-treatment, ongoing treatment and post-treatment of addicts of different categories and age groups will be developed as a part of the plan.

Links: https://www.nhp.gov.in/sites/default/files/pdf/draft_national_health_policy_2015.pdf
http://www.newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=357988
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/drug-abuse-national-action-plan-ministry-of-social-justice-5536336/