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MAHE to start Certificate Program on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling


Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, Feb 27, 2019: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) under MAHE has announced a 6 months Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling. KMC through its newly established Centre for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances (CNPS) is starting a 6 months Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling, said a release.


Certificate Program on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling


The Government of India has on February 19th 2019, released the report prepared by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The report titled “Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India” was released by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr.Thawar Chand Ghelot. The report reveals that 5.7 crore Indians are dependent on alcohol and need treatment. Around 1.4 crores are hooked to other substances.

There are 4.6 lakh children and 18 lakh adults in need of help for dependence on inhalants and sedatives. States with higher prevalence of Cannabis (bhang, ganja and charas) are U.P., Punjab, Sikkim, Chattisgarh and Delhi.The report also reveals the high usage of Opioids, sedatives, cocaine, Amphetamine type stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens apart from opium and heroin. The inadequate number of alcohol and drug abuse counsellors and those in need of treatment is a cause of worry.

To ease the availability of trained alcohol and drug abuse counsellors, KMC through its newly established Centre for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances (CNPS) is starting a 6 months Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling. A substance abuse counsellor is trained to offer brief intervention for individuals struggling to recover from addiction. They will demonstrate entry level counselling skills in working with individuals, groups and families relative to alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependence issues. The course would also develop an understanding of the physical, psychological and social effects of narcotics and psychotropic drugs on the user and society. It would also give familiarization with the range of drug rehabilitation treatment services available.

The demand for substance abuse counsellors is projected to grow exponentially. The likelihood of the government making it mandatory to appoint substance abuse counsellors in every school, college and university is a distinct reality. Details of the course can be obtained from mobile number 9810144308.