Aizawl: Mizoram has been ranked first among states in the country for efforts to curb drug abuse under the Centre’s National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), officials said on Friday.
The recognition was announced at a meeting chaired by the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary on Thursday, they said.
The NAPDDR seeks to prevent drug abuse, provide treatment and rehabilitation to drug users, strengthen treatment and rehabilitation services, and build the capacity of personnel involved in drug-demand reduction, besides creating awareness among children and young people.
Mizoram’s Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department is the nodal agency for implementing the NAPDDR in the state.
Mizoram has been implementing the programme from the state level down to districts and blocks, with Social Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii overseeing the initiatives and Deputy Commissioners leading district-level efforts, officials said.
The state government has also been working with churches and various voluntary organisations to strengthen the campaign against drug abuse, with particular emphasis on protecting women and children.
The state submits regular implementation reports to the Union Ministry, they said.
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) is also being implemented across all districts under the NAPDDR.
Officials said that strong coordination among the state and district administrations, churches and voluntary organisations had contributed significantly to Mizoram’s recognition as the top-performing state in the country in drug demand reduction efforts.