Context :
- The Union Government has invited proposals to establish District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in 291 “gap” districts across 30 States and UTs.
- These are part of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Governance)
What Are “Gap” Districts?
- Districts without any centrally supported:
- Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs),
- Community-based Peer Led Initiatives (CPLIs),
- Outreach and Drop-in Centres (ODICs).
- These lack basic infrastructure for treatment or rehabilitation related to substance abuse.
Objectives of New DDACs
- Provide treatment and rehabilitation facilities for substance use disorder.
- Act as multi-functional centres with:
- Drop-in facility,
- Peer-led initiative area,
- Rehab beds for 15 to 30 patients.
- Conduct primary prevention through awareness campaigns.
- Engage in risk mitigation of substance use in vulnerable communities.
Key Implementation Details
- Proposals invited from NGOs and start-ups with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the field.
- Last date to apply: June 30, 2025.
- Centres to have defined infrastructure norms including space for staff and multi-functional facilities.
States with Highest Number of Gap Districts
- Chhattisgarh: 31 out of 33 districts.
- Bihar: 25 districts.
- Madhya Pradesh: 23.
- Gujarat: 22.
- Arunachal Pradesh: 21.
- Others: Jharkhand (16), Punjab (16), Uttar Pradesh (18), Assam (10).
Future Roadmap
- MoSJE will conduct a fresh nationwide survey to gather district-level data on extent and pattern of substance use.
- Data will help target interventions more precisely in future phases.
Significance
- Addresses regional disparity in access to de-addiction services.
- Aims to create a comprehensive network of support in previously underserved regions.
- Critical for early intervention, especially in rural and tribal belts affected by drug dependency.
