National survey to be conducted to find number of drug addicts

30 August, New Delhi

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) under All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to conduct a national survey on extent and pattern of substance use.

The proposed survey will provide estimates of proportion and absolute number of users and dependent individuals of various psychoactive substances (drugs) in all states/UTs and at the national level in India, an official statement said.

It will also help in mapping the presence of services and interventions for drug dependent individuals and identifying the gaps in service delivery.

Two methodological approaches have been suggested for conducting the National Survey, one being a Household Survey in the general population and the other being a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) Survey.

In the Household Survey, approximately 6,00,000 eligible persons will be surveyed across the country.

In the RDS method, a total of 60,000 drug dependent individuals will be interviewed. Focussed Thematic Studies will also be conducted on specific topics or vulnerable populations which are likely to remain underrepresented in the above two approaches.

The Ministry is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction. It coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.

The Ministry provides community-based services for the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through voluntary organisations.