STUDY TO FORMULATE 'EFFECTIVE' DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION SCHEMES

New Delhi (PTI): The Centre has initiated a "pilot study" of the
patterns and trends of narcotic substance abuse in the country to get
a "feasible statistics" for formulating "more effective" schemes for
its prevention.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has given the
responsibility of conducting the study to the National Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO), official sources here said.

NSSO will conduct a "house hold survey" and gather information on
patterns and trends of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The study will give a broad idea of the patterns, trends and various
other aspects of the problem which will be useful for a strong policy
design, the sources said.

A pilot study is a small experiment designed to test logistics and
gather information prior to a larger study in order to improve the
latter's quality and efficiency.

"A decision for an extensive study may further be taken, if it is
required...the idea behind the pilot study is to plan more effective
schemes and programmes for the prevention of alcoholism and drug
abuse, the sources added.

The survey to get update data and statistics also assumes importance
as the ministry recently revised its scheme for the prevention of the
alcoholism and drug abuse seeking also the rehabilitation of addicts
instead providing only treatment facilities to them.

"We had a study done a few years ago. Now, there is a need to get
update data and statistics to deal with the subject more
effectively," the sources said.

In 2004, the ministry conducted a study on the subject in association
with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes.

In the study, 62.5 million people were found to be alcoholic while
8.7 million cannabis and 2 million opiates out of the total
population of the country.