Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr.Virendra Kumarand Union Minister of State for Home Affairs  Shri Nityanand Rai today dedicated a batch of 25 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) to the nation in a ceremony held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

Secretary (Social Justice & Empowerment), DG, NCB and Director, AIIMS were also presenton the occasion.Alongwith the senior officials from MoSJE and MHA, doctors and other medical fraternity from AIIMS, New Delhi, recovered users, NCC cadets,senior administrative officials of the participating hospitals and senior officials from the district administrations including DCs/DMs and SPs attended the event physically at the respective ATFs.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr.Virendra Kumar informed that the Government of India has been implementing National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), an umbrella scheme under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by States/UTs etc. and NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (lRCAs).

“Establishing ATFs in the Government hospitals is a special initiative under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA),” Dr.Virendra Kumar said.

Lauding various initiatives of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, MoS (Home) Shri Nityanand Rai said, “The ATF initiative and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan are laudable efforts.These two steps will cause positive impacts.”

Under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan,through various activities over 9.45 crore peoplehave been reached out so far. Around 8,000 Master Volunteers have been selected and trained to lead the Abhiyaan activities in the 372 identified districts.More than 3.08 crore youth have actively participated in the activities of the Abhiyaan to spread the message against substance use, the Union Minister added.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India has initiated ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), currently operational in 372 districts of the countrywith an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools and reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement.

Considering that India has a huge population of people affected by alcohol and drug addiction and the proportionately lower availability of services for addiction treatment, the MoSJEhas launched the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) programme. The programme is being coordinated nationally by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi.

The MoSJE has identified certain districts in the country which are to be treated as priority districts for establishing ATFs. The Ministry plans to have at least 125 districts covered under the ATF programme.

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MG/DP/RK