Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jun 2006
Source: Times of India, The (India)
Copyright: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2006
Contact:  http://www.timesofindia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/453
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ANTI-DRUG DRIVE SHOULD FOCUS ON YOUTH: MEIRA

NEW DELHI: Minister of social justice and empowerment Meira Kumar on 
Tuesday launched the National Drug Awareness Campaign aimed at 
preventing drug abuse among young people on the occasion of 
'International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking'.

Speaking on the occasion, she called for expanding the campaign into 
a movement involving civil society, government departments, teachers, 
corporate leaders and NGOs so that "our citizens remain healthy and 
productive".

She said the campaign would target the youth in the age group of 
10-18 irrespective of whether they are in or out of school. Stressing 
the need for directing the campaign towards vulnerable groups like 
street children and children with disabilities, she said social 
workers and teachers have a special responsibility.

The minister wanted the campaign to focus on the corporate sector as 
substance abuse is harmful to both enterprises and workers. "Drug and 
alcohol abuse not only affects work performance but also results in 
higher rates of absenteeism, accidents, illness and mortality with 
all related costs to the economy and society."

She said the ministry's theme for this year's International Day 
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is, 'Don't mess with your 
life -- stay away from drugs'.

She said that the social justice and empowerment ministry is 
assisting around 350 voluntary organisations under the Scheme for 
Prohibition and Drug Abuse Prevention. They are running 379 
treatment-cum-rehabilitation centres and 52 counselling centres 
across the country Asia.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman