Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's launch of the 100-week "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat" campaign on August 2, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a draft model curriculum titled "Substance Abuse: Prevention and Management". The proposed course is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students across all academic disciplines.
In a public notice issued on August 11, UGC Secretary Shyama Rath invited feedback and comments from stakeholders within a 15-day period.
Course Overview & Objectives :
- Structure & Duration: A 2-credit, 30-hour course that balances theoretical instruction with practical field applications.
- NEP 2020 Alignment: Designed to foster mental well-being, life skills, responsible citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
- Core Topics: Covers the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms of addiction, mental health vulnerabilities, and associated risk factors.
- Clinical & Preventive Training: Teaches the use of validated screening tools to detect substance or alcohol abuse, alongside frameworks like Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Students will also explore counselling techniques, clinical management, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation options.
By integrating classroom learning with active community engagement, the UGC initiative seeks to equip higher education students with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent and manage substance-related challenges among India's youth.
