Date:27/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062761151300.htm

National

Merger of schemes for prevention of alcoholism

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved the merger of two Centrally-sponsored schemes — Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse and General Grant-in-Aid Programme — and their continuation as the scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse and Social Defence Services.

The objective of the scheme has also been revised from awareness and treatment to “whole persons recovery” consisting of rehabilitation and social integration of the addicts.

The new scheme proposes to integrate the Drug Awareness and Counselling centres (CCs) and Treatment-cum-Rehabilitation Centres (TCs) of the pre-revised scheme into a composite Integration rehabilitation Centre for Addicts for their comprehensive treatment, rehabilitation and social integration.

It aims to provide a grant of Rs. 900 a month per beneficiary for persons below the poverty line which can be charged by the implementing agency as food charges. The infrastructure under the scheme will be improved as will the stay period for the addict, depending on the recommendation of a local committee.

The revised scheme will strive to achieve convergence and synergy with the efforts of de-addiction units in hospitals and organisations set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Panchayati Raj institutions, Indian Red Cross Society and urban local bodies will also be eligible to run the scheme.