NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories to bring about better synchronisation of the government’s efforts in combating drug abuse.
Asking states to devise strategies specific to them, the ministry said the problem of drug abuse required coordinated and consistent efforts among different regulatory agencies, both from demand and supply side.
The States have also been advised to set up an interdepartmental group under the Chief Secretary to ensure coordination between the agencies responsible for reduction in drug supply and demand.
State law enforcement authorities were advised to work with Central agencies to identify and act against persons dealing in illicit drugs at different levels.
The States have also been asked to set up de-addiction centres in each district and train adequate number of doctors for every hospital. Conduct sensitisation and preventive education programmes in schools and colleges, ensure sensitisation of all stakeholders including elected representatives at different levels, district magistrates/ collectors and CEOs of zilla parishads, the ministry advised.
The ministry has given states three months to devise strategies and action plans and submit a development report to it.
MoSJE, the nodal ministry for drug demand reduction in the country, coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse including preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and dissemination of information.