The union government has asked the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) to carry out an advanced pilot survey in Punjab and Manipur to assess the extent of drug abuse, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Minister of state for social justice and empower ment Sudarshan Bhagat, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, also said a pilot survey was conducted by the NSSO during March-April 2010 in the cities of Mumbai, Amritsar and Imphal.
Replying to another question, the minister said the ministry implemented a central sector scheme of assistance for the prevention of alcoholism and substance (drugs) abuse, which provides financial assistance to non-governmental organisations, panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies for running integrated rehabilitation centres for addicts.