Drug and Substance abuse among children

The study report of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) titled “Assessment of pattern, profile and correlates of Substance use among children in India” indicates that 40 to 70 percent of street children in different cities of India are vulnerable to some type of substance abuse. The report also indicates that out of 4024 children surveyed in 135 cities, 22 percent were street children who were victims of substance abuse. As per the report, the health, physical, social effects on the victims include physical violence, life threatening situation, impaired performance, sadness/anxiety, etc. Government of India is implementing the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003whichprohibits selling of tobacco products to person below the age of 18 years and in places within 100 metres radius from the outer boundary of an institution of education, which includes school colleges and institutions of higher learning established or recognized by an appropriate authority. Also the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985 lays down that a controlled substance shall be sold after the buyer establishes his identity and upon a declaration made about the purpose for which the controlled substance is being purchased. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) from 2009-10 for children in difficult circumstances including children who are victims of substance abuse. Under ICPS, financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations, inter-alia, for setting up and maintenance of various types of Homes, including, Shelter Homes, Open shelters etc. These Homes provide inter-alia, shelter, food, education, medical attention, vocational training, counselling, etc. to such children so that they can ultimately reintegrate into the mainstream society. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing “Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse” which provides financial assistance to eligible Non-Governmental Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies etc. for running Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) to provide composite/integrated services for the rehabilitation of addicts which is inclusive for all sections of the society.