Bhubaneswar, Dec 13 : Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhijan (NMBA) at its state Committee meeting here on Wednesday underscored the need for an Integrated effort to curb drug menace.
Organised by the Social Security and Empowerment of People with Disability Department, speakers at the meeting said Drug addiction is emerging to be a serious problem and Prevention is the most effective strategy to counter this problem.
Principal Secretary, SSEPD Bishnupada Sethi emphasized on social media campaigns to substantiate awareness drives and to involve sports persons, leaders, youth icons, voluntary agencies and civil societies in the drive.
Police Commissioner Soumendra Priyadarshi said the students community should be initiated as volunteers in the drive. He stressed on government and non-government interventions for monitoring, enforcement and prevention activities.
SSEPD Director Niyati Patnaik said a Special cell will be constituted by the Nisha Mukta Abhijan and people who can devote their full time to prevent drug addiction will be its members.
The meeting was told that the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), an umbrella scheme to prevent drug menace is being carried out through various agencies.
The action plan included among other things components for preventive education awareness generation, capacity building, treatment and rehabilitation, setting quality standards, focused intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts.
In Odisha, 15 districts in the first phase were covered under Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhijan which is now extended to all the districts.
Awareness campaigns through competitions have been completed in 10 districts while around 500 master volunteers have been trained to participate in the drive, NMBA sources said .