SC seeks report in 6 months on government plans to curb drug abuse in children

The Supreme Court today directed the centre to put in place a national action plan to curb the rising instances of drug and alcohol abuse among school children on an urgent basis, observing that these children grew up only to become ''drug peddlers once they get addicted''.

A bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice D Y Chandrachud also asked the centre to conduct a national survey on the increasing use of alcohol and drugs and of psychotropic substances among children in schools across the country.

Pointing out that the widespread distribution of drugs and alcohol among the teen who are also subjected to sexual abuse, the Supreme Court asked the centre to come up with an action plan to curb the national menace within 6 months.

Issuing a slew of directions, the bench observed ''Children are encouraged to become drug peddlers once they are addicted (to drugs).''

The bench also favoured a re-look on the curriculum to make school children aware about drug abuse and its ill-effects.

The directions were passed on a 2014 PIL filed by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi.

The NGO, in its plea, had sought a direction to formulate a national action plan for children on drugs and substance abuse, including all issues of identification, investigation, recovery, counselling and rehabilitation.

It had also sought creation of model syllabus on ill-effects of drugs and substance abuse.

The NGO, represented by senior advocate HS Phoolka, had sought setting up of rehabilitation and de-addiction centres in each district of the country with a special wing for children.