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UGC proposes substance abuse course for university students
The University Grants Commission has invited comments on a draft two-credit, 30-hour course on “Substance Abuse: Prevention and Management” for undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra…
The Story in Brief
The University Grants Commission has invited comments on a draft two-credit, 30-hour course on “Substance Abuse: Prevention and Management” for undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the 100-week “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” campaign on August 2.
The proposed course covers addiction, risk factors, mental-health vulnerabilities, screening tools, counselling, relapse prevention and rehabilitation. Students would also undertake at least five activities, such as visits to rehabilitation centres, expert talks, NGO interactions and surveys. The UGC notice does not say whether the course will be compulsory. Institutions may decide its credits and semester distribution. Stakeholders have 15 days from the August 11 notice to submit comments.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that a classroom course alone can solve substance abuse would be overstated. So would dismissing awareness and early screening as symbolic. The draft sensibly links academic learning with community work, but its value will depend on trained faculty, credible referral services and safeguards during field visits. The immediate test is whether the final UGC framework clarifies who must take the course, how it will be assessed and what support students can access after screening.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
