Toll-free helpline launched for Alcohol and Drug Addicts By Indian Government

On Wednesday, The central government launched a national toll-free helpline to provide assistance to people dependent on alcohol and drugs in India.

The move to launch the helpline number 1800-11-0031 comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the youth of the country to give up drugs in his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme in December.

The helpline was launched by the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot at a special function here, an official release said.

He called up the toll free helpline and inquired about the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

The helpline will operate from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. It will be upgraded to 24x7, based on the number of calls it receives.

“Sometimes we blame youngsters, but it is drugs which is bad and not the youngster. I think children who have no direction and vacuum in their lives get involved in substance abuse. We must ask our children to dream big because it will motivate them to work hard and not take them towards drugs,"
Modi said, Mann Ki Baat radio programme on Wednesday. 

Modi said he has asked the concerned department to start a toll-free number where people can talk about drug addiction.

“Some people think it is a style statement to have drugs. It is not cool, it only leads to destruction. Youngsters should have the strength to say no to drugs," Modi said Mann Ki Baat radio programme on Wednesday.