UGC plans to begin course on substance abuse awareness

The proposed two-credit, 30-hour course combines theory with practical activities focused on sensitisation, awareness and community engagement

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 100-week “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” campaign on August 2, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has invited comments on a draft model curriculum for a course on “Substance Abuse: Prevention and Management” for undergraduate and postgraduate students “across all disciplines”.

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The proposed two-credit, 30-hour course combines theory with practical activities focused on sensitisation, awareness and community engagement against substance abuse. In a notice issued on August 11, UGC secretary Shyama Rath sought comments from stakeholders within 15 days.

The draft curriculum seeks to “promote healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, life skills, and responsible citizenship” in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

It aims to help students understand the “neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying addiction”, associated risk factors and mental-health vulnerabilities.

Students will also learn to use validated screening tools to identify possible substance or alcohol use problems and about Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), clinical management, counselling, relapse prevention, rehabilitation and recovery support.

The draft also requires students to undertake at least five activities, including rehabilitation-centre visits, expert talks, NGO interactions, social-media campaigns, ideathons and survey-based studies.

The UGC notice says the course “may also be introduced as part of course offerings” in higher education institutions. The draft curriculum says the proposed credits and their distribution are “suggestive” and that “the HEIs may decide on course credits and distribution over semesters”.