Latest news with #NationalActionPlanforDrugDemandReduction


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Footfall of 50L in OPD, 3 lakh admissions, reliance on AI, renewable power: Director hails AIIMS on I-Day
The All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has so far this year registered a footfall of around 50 lakh patients in the outpatient department (OPD), 3.5 lakh admissions in the inpatient department (IPD) and has conducted nearly three lakh surgeries, Director Dr M Srinivas said on Friday in his Independence Day address. The Director added that the institute received an approval rating of 95% through an indigenously developed app called SANTUSHT. Dr Srinivas added that the hospital infrastructure has been upgraded with solar energy, water recycling, and carbon accounting systems. AI-powered diagnostics and predictive analytics have been introduced to personalise care and optimise resource utilisation, the Director asserted. AIIMS also helped incubate 26 medical start-ups through the Centre for medical innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr Srinivas said, noting that the institute also published over 4,000 peer-reviewed articles. 'By launching the digital learning hub and conducting 123 examinations for over 11 lakh candidates, AIIMS Delhi became one-of-a-kind institution in India to achieve blockchain deployment for examination records,' he said. Under the drug de-addiction programme and National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, Dr Srinivas said, the hospital offered support to 25 drug treatment clinics and 73 addiction treatment facilities across 20 states in the country. He added that the institute also trained 1,379 professionals to tackle the issue of drug addiction. Highlighting the institute's achievements, Dr Srinivas said, 'AIIMS Delhi increased capacity for critical care by conducting over 15,000 MRIs, and set up India's first HIV Drug Resistance Testing Laboratory approved by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).' Work on indigenous bioengineered corneal implants was initiated under the Retinomics Facility at Dr RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences. He underlined that the institute also set up Interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence to bridge medicine, engineering, and data science to bring forth holistic innovation in the medical sector.


Hans India
06-08-2025
- Health
- Hans India
OU holds awareness programme on preventing drug abuse
Hyderabad: The University College of Arts & Social Sciences (UCA&SS) at Osmania University, together with National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit-I, on Tuesday, organized a one-day awareness program on 'Drug Abuse Prevention.' The event was effectively coordinated by Dr. Chalamalla Venkateshwarlu and Dr. Shivanand Yalala, the NSS Programme Officers. It highlighted the core objectives and responsibilities of the NSS, emphasizing its significance in nation-building. The program saw enthusiastic participation from numerous students and faculty members, who engaged in meaningful discussions and gained insights into the dangers of drug addiction. Prof. C. Kaseem, Principal of UCA&SS, attended the event as the Chief Guest. In his address, Prof. Kaseem emphasized the harmful effects of drug abuse on youth and highlighted the importance of responsible behavior. He cited national icons like Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Chandra Shekhar Azad, who made significant contributions to the nation. He noted that the NSS, launched in 1969, has evolved into a powerful platform for harnessing the energy of youth towards national service. However, he warned that today's youth, who constitute a significant majority, are vulnerable to various temptations—including drug abuse—which could lead them astray. He urged everyone to work collectively to combat this issue and foster a healthier society. Prof. E. Vidyasagar, NSS Programme Coordinator at Osmania University and Guest of Honour, spoke about the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and the critical role youth participation through NSS will play in achieving this goal. As India moves toward 2047, the energy, vision, and spirit of service of NSS volunteers will be essential in realizing the dream of a developed India. Every NSS activity—large or small—contributes to building a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous nation. Dr. Konda Nageswara Rao, Vice-Principal, also addressed the audience and elaborated on the responsibilities of youth in fostering a socially conscious society. The program featured special addresses from key speakers, including Sudhakar Sripada, State Coordinator of SLCA; Madhusudan Reddy, Director (Programs) at the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, MSJE, Government of India, and De-Addiction Program, Council for Urban and Rural Enhancement, Hyderabad; and Rathod Govind Singh Nayak, Inspector of Drugs, Drugs Control Administration, Hyderabad District. The speakers educated the students about the devastating impacts of drug addiction and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in its prevention. The primary objective of this program was to raise awareness, promote healthy lifestyles among students, and foster a sense of responsibility towards building a drug-free and progressive nation.


New Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Odisha sees alarming spike in youths seeking drug de-addiction treatment
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is witnessing a troubling surge in substance abuse among youths with the number of admissions to drug de-addiction centres doubling in the last five years. According to the reports from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a staggering 48,306 youths were admitted to drug de-addiction centres in the last year alone. This marks a significant rise from 24,497 admissions in 2020. A majority of this population is in the 18 to 30 years age group. The addictions are primarily related to use of brown sugar, ganja, alcohol and sedatives. This sharp rise has placed Odisha at the fourth spot nationally for the highest number of admissions to drug de-addiction centres in the last financial year, following Madhya Pradesh (one lakh), Uttar Pradesh (96,749), and Rajasthan (71,355). The state currently has 51 de-addiction centres operating under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) scheme, with the highest concentration, five centres each, in Khurda, Cuttack, and Puri districts. In addition, nearly 30 de-addiction centres are run by NGOs with government support, and several more operate privately.


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.


Time of India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From classrooms to communities: Punjab's multi-level plan to warn students about drug abuse
Chandigarh: In a renewed push under its state-wide anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashian De Virudh, the Punjab school education department has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to implement drug de-addiction and awareness programmes in govt schools across the state. The move comes as the state govt prepares to launch the second phase of the campaign, which will focus on skill development, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected youth. Experts have long raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of adolescents to drug exposure, and the shift underscores the state's emphasis on early intervention and community-based engagement. As Punjab transitions to this next phase, the integration of preventive education with rehabilitation and skill-building pathways is seen as a holistic approach to tackling the drug crisis. As part of the school-level intervention, the education department has directed all school principals and district education officers to appoint dedicated nodal officers responsible for coordinating anti-drug activities on campus. These officers will oversee the implementation of major programmes such as the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the Navchetna module, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) campaign, and the Buddy Programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch xu hướng AUD/USD? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo These efforts are being carried out in close coordination with the Punjab Police and the state health department. The department has made it clear that these measures will be closely monitored and evaluated as part of a wider, state-supported strategy to combat substance abuse from the grassroots level. All schools have been instructed to maintain a dedicated register documenting the name and designation of the appointed nodal officer, their training status under the Navchetna module, and a record of all anti-drug activities conducted. These include awareness sessions, parent-teacher meetings (PTMs), and community outreach programmes involving local stakeholders. In addition to maintaining these records, schools are also required to submit weekly reports every Monday. These must detail key activities such as PTM-based awareness sessions, the involvement of Narcotics Anonymous and health department teams, coordination with local law enforcement, and the functioning of student Buddy Groups. The department has emphasised that these initiatives are not merely about procedural compliance but represent a fundamental shift toward cultivating a drug-free academic environment. Schools are being encouraged to actively engage students, parents, and teachers through interactive workshops, counselling sessions, and locally-driven awareness campaigns. Director SCERT, Kiran Sharma, said the objective is to raise awareness among students and steer them away from drugs. "A comprehensive, month-wise action plan has been drawn up, and its implementation is under way. The campaign will continue until Feb next year, with a special focus on sensitising students above the age of 15," she added. MSID:: 121993707 413 |