Latest news with #ATFs
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Parliamentary proceedings: In five years, 295% rise in the number of people seeking de-addiction treatment, govt. data shows
In the past five years, the number of people seeking de-addiction treatment for substance abuse at government-supported facilities has seen a 295% rise, data tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday showed. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment tabled comprehensive data on its National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, showing that various types of de-addiction centres supported by the Centre had treated 2.08 lakh people in 2020-21. This number had risen to over 8.23 lakh in 2024-25. The number of people seeking treatment for addiction from these centres has been consistently increasing in the last five years, even as government set up about 288 new de-addiction facilities in the same time period. This data on the increasing number of people seeking treatment for de-addiction comes as the Social Justice Ministry is preparing to launch a nationwide survey to study patterns of substance use and abuse in the country. This survey would build upon the one conducted in 2017-18 by the Nation Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. Currently, the Union Social Justice Ministry supports a total of 696 de-addiction facilities of different categories. These include Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, Outreach and Drop-in Centres, District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), Community-based Peer Led Interventions, and Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs). Of these, 288 new ATFs and DDACs have come up in the last five years, government data showed. The data on people seeking treatment for addiction was put out by the Social Justice Ministry in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday. Minister of State for Social Justice B.L. Verma, in his response said that, in 2024-25, ₹170.26 crore was released to the NGOs and voluntary organisations running the facilities. The 2017-18 survey on substance abuse had concluded that alcohol was the most used substance, with over 15 crore people estimated to be using it, of which around 30 lakh were estimated to be minors (between 10-17 years of age). This was followed by cannabis, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, stimulants such as amphetamine, and hallucinogens, respectively.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CRRUA: Arsenic plant ‘slightly' above guidelines passes 2nd follow-up test
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) said it completed the second of two follow-up tests of an arsenic treatment facility (ATF) that 'slightly' exceeded the federal limit for arsenic in the utility's voluntary monthly tests for April. CRRUA follow-up test of arsenic plant 'slightly' above guidelines CRRUA provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MCL for arsenic is 10 parts per billion (ppb). The second follow-up test results for the Santa Teresa Industrial ATF were 8 ppb, which is below the 12 ppb in the first follow-up test and the 12 ppb in the CRRUA voluntary monthly test for April, the utility said. CRRUA said results are from Eurofins Environment Testing, an independent water lab certified by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), from samples taken on May 14. CRRUA: 1 arsenic plant 'slightly' above guidelines The first follow-up test was conducted on May 6, the utility said. CRRUA voluntarily conducted the two follow-up tests at the Santa Teresa Industrial ATF as a 'self-governance measure and to assure customers that water at the facility meets government regulatory standards,' the utility said. 'This is the second straight NMED quarterly compliance test period in which all four CRRUA ATFs passed based on the RAA,' CRRUA Executive Director Juan Crosby said. 'Although the New Mexico Environment Department's (NMED) recent quarterly sample reported an arsenic level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) at the Santa Teresa Industrial ATF, which exceeds the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 ppb, it is important to clarify that federal and state regulations determine compliance based on the Running Annual Average (RAA) of arsenic levels, not on a single sample result,' Crosby said. 'CRRUA remains in compliance with arsenic standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and our Arsenic Treatment Facilities continue to operate as intended. We are committed to maintaining full transparency by sharing results from both regulatory samples and voluntary testing. Our priority is to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water to our community,' Crosby added. The utility said results of NMED's second quarter 2025 arsenic tests from water samples taken May 7, confirm that based on the RAA, the Border Entry ATF (RAA 3.8 ppb,) Santa Teresa Industrial ATF (RAA 8.3 ppb,) Santa Teresa Community ATF (5.5 ppb,) and Sunland Park ATF (6.3 ppb) are NMED compliant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
