With the State apparently having a growing number of drug addicts, Odisha will receive more number of de-addiction centres and Regional Resource Training Centres (RRTCs).
As the Union Government is trying to evolve and strengthen appropriate models for prevention of alcoholism, drug abuse, treatment and rehabilitation, Odisha will receive more supports in this regard, officials said.
The National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation meeting will be held on May 24, where such issues will be discussed at length.
Most importantly, establishment of facilities for de-addiction centres in each district and increasing the number of RRTCs will be taken up, said official sources.
There is more demand for setting up of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCA)s in the States as drug addicts are hugely benefitted by the IRCAs. More IRCAs are urged for Odisha and as the online processing of grants to NGOs are in operation, monitoring and accreditation of IRCAs are required. Officials have advised for strengthening the monitoring mechanism of the IRCAs and improving service delivery.
A move is there to set up separate and specialized de-addiction facilities for drug dependant females, said sources in Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
The MoSJE is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction and it is coordinating and monitoring all aspects of drug abuse prevention in the country.
Earlier, the MoSJE formulated the National Policy for Drug Demand Reduction and presently the policy is being examined by the Group of Ministers headed by Union Minister of Home Affairs.
Formulation of National Alcohol Policy is in the offing and the State Governments will offer their opinion in the matter.
This issue will be discussed at length as growing alcoholism is viewed with all seriousness, officials say.
So far drug abuse is concerned in the State, over 40 per cent kids use inhalants and about 15 per cent children use heroin, said sources.
For treatment and rehabilitation, there are 33 de-addiction centres and several NGOs are working towards de-addiction.
In several towns of the State, children involved in rag picking, shoe shining, working as coolies, working in shops and restaurants, road side vending, cleaning and washing utensils in hotels for their survival are often found as drug addicts.
NGOs involved in de-addiction activities said that these children work for long hours in these occupations. When there are no means for living, they sometimes engage in petty theft, drug trafficking or criminal activities.
Most of the children start using substance to satisfy their curiosity or to have fun without knowing its future consequences.
So there is an urgent need for establishing facilities for highly vulnerable groups like street children, homeless beggars, rag pickers and children living in slums.