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Need to make drug addicts productive members of society: Prez

India Blooms News Service | | Jun 27, 2014, at 01:38 am

#Need to make drug addicts productive members of society: President Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi, June 26 (IBNS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday expressed concern over the growing alcoholism and drug abuse in India and said there is a need of focussed attention on making the addicts productive members of the society.

"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," Mukherjee said at the presentation of national awards for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcoholism and substance (drugs) abuse on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

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

Mukherjee said, "Alcoholism and drug abuse have become a major social concern. Today, the entire world is confronted with this problem in some form or the other. With India’s vulnerable geographical position between the two major drug producing zones -- the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent, drug menace continues to spread its tentacles in the country, acquiring ever growing dimensions."

He said, while on the one hand, the use of drugs and alcohol is increasing, on the other hand, social taboos, emphasis on self-restraint, discipline inherent in a joint family system and traditional moorings are eroding.

"Among other factors, the fast changing social milieu arising out of this social and economic transition, which the country is going through, is contributing to the proliferation of drug abuse," Mukherjee noted.

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