The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse recently in New Delhi on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee told the award winners not to remain complacent and to continue with efforts for eradicating the twin menace. He said the two vices have caused havoc in the social life of our country as well as across the world and added that many studies have established that terrorism, smuggling and drug activities are co-related. Unless these linkages are broken, it will be very difficult to fight all three.
Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment said that we should work towards bringing drug abuse victims into the mainstream society and make their lives a success. He also said that his ministry is fully committed to implementation of demand reduction strategy in the country. With this in view, his ministry is 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) et al. who are engaged in demand reduction activities. He said that he had also launched, a national toll free helpline (1800-11-0031) to assist the alcoholics and drug dependent persons, their family members and community.
Other the dignitaries present on the occasion were Krishan Pal Gurjar as well as Vijay Sampla, Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.