BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Temperance Board (KSTB) is mulling over the implementation of addiction- free village scheme shortly. The objective of the scheme is to ensure villagers are free from alcohol menace.
The KSTB, which was not active for many years due to various reasons, is set to regain its lost glory by initiating various awareness programmes against alcoholics. In its endeavour to distance innocent and poor people in rural areas from alcohol, the KSTB has selected Uttara Kannada district to implement the addiction-free village scheme. “The scheme’s official launch will be held next month.
There are 11 taluks in Uttara Kannada district. We have shortlisted two villages from each taluk for this purpose,” Sachidananda Hegde, Chairman, KSTB said.
To implement the addictionfree village scheme, the KSTB has roped in various Stree Shakthi Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Uttara Kannada district. Members of Stree Shakthi Self Help Groups are expected to conduct door-to-door survey at these villages.
“The members of Stree Shakthi SHGs will collect the data of alcoholics and their ailments.
After collecting the data, we will chalk out a plan for alcoholics.
We organise counselling for them. If needed, we send them to de-addiction centres. If there are any chronic alcoholics, we facilitate them admitted to a hospital,” Hegde said.
The KSTB has a plan to extend the plan to Gulbarga and Chamarajnagar districts after successfully implementing the scheme in Uttara Kannada district.
Two-day programme
As part of its initiative to create awareness among the public about the ill-effects of alcohol and felicitate people who are working towards de-addiction of alcoholics, the KSTB is organising a two-day programme at Sirsi on April 5 and 6.
Around 100 NGOs are expected to participate in the programme.
For the first time in the annals of the KSTB, it is honouring people who worked for the de-addiction of alcoholics and drug addicts. “We have selected Padmabhushan Dr Veerendra Heggade for this award.
Dr Heggade’s contribution is immense to de-addiction programmes,” he said.
Awareness drives for school students
The KSTB has also drawn a huge plan as part of its awareness programmes. “We want to create awareness among the high school students. Earlier, the age group for the first taste of alcohol was 19. Now, it is 11. So, our focus is high school students.
We want to conduct awareness programmes at 6,000 high schools from next year. We have requested the government to sanction Rs 6 crore for this purpose.
We are involving Swamijis of various mutts to conduct awareness programmes at high schools,” he said.
If everything goes well, Karnataka State Law University is set to join hands with the KSTB in its endeavour to create awareness among the public about the ill effects of alcohol and drugs.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka State Law University recently for this purpose,” he said.