SC asks AIIMS for plan on drug abuse

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 22

Terming it an issue of national importance, the Supreme Court has asked the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to draft a national action plan to check drug abuse, particularly among schoolchildren. 

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra directed that the report be finalised by September 7. It will include measures to educate people on the adverse effects of drug abuse. 

“No further extension shall be granted. The competent authorities of AIIMS shall bear in mind that framing of this policy is of national importance and it cannot brook any delay,” the Bench told Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh.

The order came after the court was told that its December 2016 verdict on the petition by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s NGO, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, was not being implemented.

Issuing a series of directions, the top court had asked the Centre to formulate in six months a national action plan to curb rising drug abuse among schoolchildren. It had also ordered a national survey to be conducted to understand the extent of the problem.

Directing the Centre and the states to create awareness about the serious consequences of drug abuse, the SC had said the harmful effects of using drugs should be included in the school curricula. The national capital alone has around one lakh street children and substance abuse is reported as a major health problem among them, the PIL had said.

A study on substance abuse showed last year that 100 per cent of the children in conflict with the law were drug abusers, 95.5 per cent of them staying in childcare institutions were on drugs and 93 per cent of street children consumed narcotics.  The PIL had sought an  action plan for kids  on drug and substance abuse. — TNS