SC asks NGO to specify concerns on alcohol, substance abuse

The Supreme Court today asked NGO 'Bachpan Bachao Aandolan' to specify key issues of its PIL, seeking eradication of alcohol and drugs abuse of children, so that the Centre can be asked to provide specific responses.
A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices R Banumathi and U U Lalit asked the NGO to file an affidavit within a week which would be put before the Centre for its response.
The NGO had filed the PIL for enforcement of fundamental right of the children, particularly those who are victims of substance abuse.
It also said that in 2012, the Union cabinet had approved the National Policy on Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which was drafted by the Finance Ministry in consultation with various other bodies for reducing the drugs menace in the society.

The plea also alleged that the NGO did not get adequate responses from various authorities on implementation of the policy.
Besides seeking status reports, the NGO, in its fresh application, has sought direction to all agencies to ensure that the seller do not sell such substances within a radius of 200 meter of child care institutions or schools.

Earlier, the NGO had said that the National Education Policy was being framed and the issues relating to eradication of alcohol and drugs abuse may be considered for inclusion in the policy.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had then said that it would look into the matter and raise it with the concerned Ministry.

The counsel appearing for the NGO had told the apex court that there was an "alarming" spurt in the use of drugs among children and that there was an urgent need to educate them on the issue.