Ambitious plan to curb alcoholism launched in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: With an ambitious plan to curb the menace of alcoholism in society, the Prohibition and Excise department headed by Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena launched the programme with the title ‘Jagruthi’.

The programme involves all the stakeholders in controlling the menace of alcoholism including the Excise staff, the medical and health department and even medical practitioners and psychologist’s right from organising awareness campaign to the de-addiction centres.

Accordingly, a comprehensive programme for propagation of knowledge/awareness and establishment of infrastructure for people suffering from addiction is initiated.
The 'Jagruthi' initiative includes awareness campaign, establishment of counselling centres and establishment of de-addiction centres.

The awareness camps shall be organised right from the district level to 208 Excise police stations all over the State by organising awareness programme through rallies, seminars, meetings, Kala Jathas, Grama Sabhas, organisation of competitions in schools, colleges, panchayats, municipalities etc.

The promotional material in terms of pamphlets, posters, banners, plays, placards and booklets will be prepared and distributed to all districts.

These awareness campaigns will be organised on every Saturday in all Excise police stations and report shall be sent in the prescribed pro forma to the DCs concerned and Commissioner’s office by the SHOs.

The main objective of the awareness is to make aware the students/public/addicts about the ill-effects of alcohol and other intoxicants consumption and to discourage the habit.

Likewise, at the Excise superintendent level at all the Excise police stations, counselling centres should be established in their offices to conduct counselling/seminars every Saturday to all those target people who are addicted to intoxicants.

The Excise superintendents shall identify Medical practitioner, Psychologists or any other expert and conduct counselling every Saturday.

The report on such every Saturday evening shall be sent to DC office and Commissioners, office.

The major goal of 'Jagruthi' is establishment of permanent infrastructure for de-addiction center at least one in every district in consultation with Medical, Health and Family Department.

A group of officers with study the present de-addiction centres in different states. It shall be completed within a period of one month.

On the report of the group of officers the proposal will be prepared for approval of the Government for establishment of de-addiction centres in consultation with Medical, Health and Family Department. This proposal of establishment of de-addiction budget will be targeted for 2019-20.

The Additional Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise will be the nodal officer for 'Jagruthi' programme.