President presents awards for services in Prevention of Alcoholism

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The President of India Ram Nath Kovind on June 26, 2018, presented the “Fourth National Awards for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse” to the institutions and individuals on the occasion of ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at a function organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot, Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ramdas Athawale, Vijay Sampla and Secretary, SJ&E Ministry, Neelam Sawhney were also present on the occasion. State Government Officials, NGOs, National and International organizations working in this field, Students from Colleges & Schools, professionals & experts and Personnel from Para Military Forces also attended the function.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that the problem of drugs addiction and alcoholism negatively impacts an individual, family and society in multiple domains such as health, culture, development and politics. Drug addiction spurs poverty and also poses a challenge to our national security as well as to our development and public welfare goals.

President Kovind said that our geographical location between Myanmar-Laos-Thailand’s ‘Golden Triangle’ and Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan’s ‘Golden Crescent’, makes the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking even more acute and complicated. Increase in drug trafficking and drug abuse in the border areas is also associated with issues of terrorism and political unrest. That is why there is a need to be more vigilant in border states like Punjab and Manipur, he said, according to a PIB release.

The President said that misuse of illegal drugs is creating health challenges especially for the young generation and school going children. He stated that the problem of drug abuse can be solved by awareness, prevention, incentives, and support efforts. In these efforts compassion and sympathy for the drug addicts is also necessary. Parents, teachers, doctors, voluntary organizations should be associated in the medical and rehabilitation efforts.

Gehlot, in his address, said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has set up a National Toll Free Drug De-Addiction Helpline Number-1800110031 to help the victims of drug abuse, their family and society at large and it is functional 24×7. The Ministry has started an online system for processing of Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Organizations (VOs)/Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from the financial year 2014-15. At present, approximately 400 Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs) are being run across the country with support from this Ministry.  About one lakh drug/alcohol addicts benefit every year under the Scheme.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment celebrates June 26  every year as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Government of India has instituted a Scheme of the National Awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drug) Abuse from 2013. The Awards were earlier conferred annually till 2014. However, the Scheme of the Award has now been revised and the awards are now conferred biennially.

Tapovan Nashamukti Evam Punarwas Sansthan,  Jawahar Bhawan, in front of Tehsil Bhawan, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, has won the Best Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) award for providing rehabilitation services to alcoholics and drug users.

State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA), Bihar, Vikas Bhawan, New Secretariat, Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar, has won the Best Awareness Campaign award.