Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot said that the Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment is in the process of finalising the first National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction very soon.
Gehlot was addressing a regional workshop here on Saturday over Drug Abuse Prevention at the ICAI Bhawan Auditorium. A three-day workshop from November 21 to 23 has been organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with National Service Scheme, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India in Indore.
Gehlot said, “In Madhya Pradesh, it has been observed that there are many NGOs working in the field of drug abuse prevention in the State. At present, the Ministry provides financial assistance for 17 NGOs in Madhya Pradesh.
Gehlot stated that the Drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to have a profoundly negative impact on development and stability across the world. Addiction to drugs and alcohol not only affects the health of an individual, but also the basic foundation of society. Therefore, the menace of drug abuse and alcoholism is a matter of serious concern and requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to bring about its eradication and Ministry is finalising first National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction shortly to curb the demand of drugs.
The inaugural function was presided over by Madhya Pradesh Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development, Social Justice, Cooperatives Gopal Bhargava.
Bhargava in his address said, “Today, there is no part of the world that is free from the curse of drug trafficking and drug addiction. Millions of drug addicts, all over the world, are leading miserable lives, between life and death. India too is caught in this vicious circle of drug abuse, and the numbers of drug addicts are increasing day by day. I am delighted that the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is taking great initiative by conducting such regional workshop in Madhya Pradesh which meets the requirements of the victims or persons affected by substance abuse and to create a drug-free society.”