President of India to confer national awards for outstanding services in the field of Drug Prevention

New Delhi, June 24, 2016: President of India will confer the National Awards to the organizations and the individuals who have shown exemplary contribution in the field of Drug Prevention on 26^th June, 2016 at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministers of State for Social, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar & Shri Vijay Sampla will also present on the occasion.

26^th June is observed as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and is a global observance. Every year, it is commemorated with campaigns and a series of events all over the world aimed at raising awareness of the major problem that illicit drug use represents to society and particularly to young people. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and to inspire people to act against drug abuse and trafficking.

On the day Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, along with Ministers of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar & Shri Vijay Sampla will take the pledge at 8 am at the India Gate lawns with other dignitaries and about 4000 Jawans from different Border Guarding Forces. The “RUN against Drug Abuse” will be flagged off by the Ministers for the mass sensitization followed by a symbolic Slogan March with Police Bands. This year’s focus for the run is: “Let’s Develop Communities without Drugs”.

Addiction to drugs and alcohol not only affects the individuals involved but also disrupts the family and society at large. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment being the nodal Department is fully committed to implementation of drug demand reduction strategy in the country. With this in view, the department has been implementing the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86. Under the said Scheme financial assistance is provided to Non-Government Organization (NGOs) etc. who are engaged in demand reduction activities. A National Toll Free Helpline (1XXX-XX-0031) has also been launched to assist the alcoholics and drug dependent persons, their family members and community.

The process of rehabilitation of drug and alcohol dependents is an inter-disciplinary process covering various aspects namely, prevention, early detection, intervention, education, vocational training rehabilitation and social integration etc. Apart from resources, it requires dedicated efforts of humans involved in the process of development. Substance abuse being a psycho-social-medical problem, community based intervention through Non-Government Organization (NGOs), Panchayat/Municipal bodies, Educational Institutions etc. has been considered as an important strategy for treatment and rehabilitation of the addicts.

In order to recognize the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of substance abuse and rehabilitation of its victims, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment confers every year National Awards in following categories:

Institutional Category

a. Best Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) for providing rehabilitation services to alcoholics and drug users.

b. Best Panchayati Raj or Municipal Body working for prevention of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse.

c. Best Educational Institution doing outstanding work in awareness generation and prevention of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse.

d. Best Non Profit Institution, other than S.No. 1,2 and 3, with outstanding contribution in Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.

e. Best Research or Innovation

f. Best Awareness Campaign.

Individual Category

g. Outstanding achievement by an individual.