What is the primary aim of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Gayatri Parivar?

Solution

India continues its commitment to tackling the issue of substance use disorder in the country, recognizing the significant social and health implications it carries. To address this challenge, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gayatri Parivar, aimed at spreading awareness about the ill effects of substance abuse, particularly among the youth. The government recognizes the need to address substance use and dependence as a psycho-social-medical problem. The first comprehensive national survey on the extent and pattern of substance use in India revealed that alcohol is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance, followed by cannabis and opioids. To combat the demand for drugs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has been implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). This umbrella scheme provides financial assistance to state governments and union territory administrations for various initiatives, including preventive education and awareness generation, capacity building, skill development, vocational training, and livelihood support for ex-drug addicts.