Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: NMC releases detailed guidelines for medical colleges
New Delhi- Through a recent notice, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has notified detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities for medicos.
In the 7th Apex Level Meeting of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), the Hon’ble Home Minister of India encouraged all to undertake Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities in the hostels of educational institutions to aid the young students in their fight against substance abuse and help them cope with factors such as academic stress, peer influence etc. and to enhance the abilities of students to make good life choices.
On this, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a notification requesting the hostels of all All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement the following measures-
1 All educational institutions in India are directed to form a Nasha Mukt Hostel committee.
2 All educational institutions should create an annual schedule of activities to ensure sensitization and awareness of the student community, faculty and hostel residents. Training and sensitization of all counsellors should be done with the help of NIMHANS/AIIMS, New Delhi and the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
3 Universities should create a collaborative mechanism with enforcement agencies to curb the supply of drugs from neighbouring border areas, slums, hotspots etc. Awareness campaigns should be conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders on the university campuses to ensure that the student population lives in a safe and drug-free environment. This collaborative approach aims to create a vigilant community that can effectively combat drug trafficking and illicit trafficking.
4 Newly admitted students (hostel residents as well as day students) are at a high risk of substance abuse due to peer pressure, academic stress, lack of supervision and mental health issues. The absence of structured routines and easy access to substances also contribute to this risk. First-year students also face emotional challenges due to the transition to independence, loneliness and homesickness, which may further lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Therefore, special attention may be given to sensitizing and training first-year students and parents through a sustainable action plan for NMBA activities in hostels.
5 A structured approach should be implemented to provide ongoing support to students throughout their academic journey, to ensure they receive the help they need.
6. Proper referral and networking systems should be developed through helpline numbers like the National Toll-Free Deaddiction Helpline, Tele MANAS and MANAS (Nutri-Drug Information Centre).
Further, all Central University/Institute hostels and DoSJE hostels will be required to form Nasha Mukt Hostel Committees in the hostels, which will comprise representatives from the University, student representatives and hostel staff.
A maximum of 10 members should be appointed to the committee, which should include the nodal officer/vice chancellor appointed by the university, the hostel warden, the counsellor posted in the higher education institution and the student representative residing in the hostel. More members may be added depending on need and relevance.
LIST OF ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE DONE UNDER THE ABHIYAAN (NON — EXHAUSTIVE)
1 Training and awareness generation activities with children, adolescents, youth and master volunteers.
2 Sports and physical activities.
3 Seminars, Webinars or Workshops for awareness generation.
4 Nukkad Natak, Skits and Play.
5 Flash mobs, drives and Rallies.
6 NMBA pledge (including e-pledge) in educational institutions, hotspots and public places.
7 Walkathons and marathons.
8 Wall Paintings/Graffiti and art competitions.
9 Slogan writing or jingle making.
10 Video-making or short film-making.
11 Yoga and Meditation Activities.
12 Documentaries/Film Screenings on substance use and discussions.
13 Awareness generation through NMBA vehicles.
14 Distribution of IEC Material available on the NMBA website.
15 Organise Inter/Intra University Debates, essays, Painting, and drawing competitions (online/offline, any).
16 Social Media Campaigns.
17 Celebration of international/national days of importance (for ex: celebrating World Aids Day and spreading awareness about AIDS and how Injecting drug users increases the chances of getting AIDS).
18 Formation of support groups and initiating counselling networks to address the issues related to substance use.
19 A sub-campaign to increase awareness about the ban of licit/ illicit substances near college areas with the help of police/competent authority.
Moreover, an Action Taken Report (ATR) should be submitted by the Vice Chancellor/Head of Institution/Head of the concerned Higher Educational Institutions to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE). Also, a copy of the ATR should be sent to the Department of Higher Education (DoHE). The name and contact details of the Nodal Officer of the Nasha Mukt Hostel Committee may be provided so that login access to the NMBA mobile application may be provided by DoSJE for uploading activities in the coming academic years. Below are the proforma of the ATR-
ACTION TAKEN REPORT PROFORMA
1 Institution Details.
2 Formation of Anti-Drug Hostel Committee.
3 Sensitisation of neighbouring boundary areas.
4 Referral & networking systems.
5 Structured Support for 1st-year resident students.
6 Structured Support for 1st-year Day-Scholar students.
To view the notification, click the link below
