Mukherjee gives away awards for outstanding services against substance abuse

President Pranab Mukherjee presented the national awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcoholism and substance (drugs) abuse here today on the International Day against Drug Abuse.

Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee said: "There is an urgent need to provide a whole range of community based services for the identification, counselling and de-addiction of addicts along with their after care and rehabilitation. Alcoholism and drug abuse is a psycho-social-medical problem requiring a holistic approach."

"The aim of the comprehensive treatment programme should not merely be to get the addicted individuals off alcohol or drugs. Focussed attention on making the addicts productive members of the society by making them drug free, crime free and gainfully employed, is what is required," he added

He further stated that in this connection, the importance of skill building and vocational training of drug dependent persons for their effective social and economic reintegration cannot be over emphasised.

"The stress should be on mobilization of community resources and greater community participation. Apart from this, law enforcement agencies should be sensitized to the needs of victims of substance abuse to enable them to be rehabilitated and reintegrated in the society," he said.

"Generating continuous and sustained awareness through innovative methods about the harmful effects of drug abuse also assumes critical importance," he added.

He further said: "In December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 26th June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This was an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse."

"The international campaign by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also aims at raising awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs pose to society, especially to the young people," he added.