Scheme of Assistance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse and for Social Defence Services: General Grant-in-Aid Programme for Financial Assistance in the Field of Social Defence

"Scheme of Assistance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse and for Social Defence Services" by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, came into existence on 15th October 2008 through the merger of two Central Sector Schemes: the 'Scheme for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse' and 'General Grant in Aid Programme for Financial Assistance in the Field of Social Defence.' The scheme's objectives include creating awareness about the ill effects of alcoholism and substance abuse, as well as providing a comprehensive range of community-based services for indemnification, motivation, counselling, de-addiction, aftercare, and rehabilitation for whole-person recovery (WPR) of addicts. The Sub-Scheme "General Grant-in-Aid Programme for Financial Assistance in the Field of Social Defence" aims to meet urgent needs falling within the mandate of the Ministry which cannot be met under its regular schemes and support such initiatives of an innovative/pilot nature in the area of welfare and empowerment of the Ministry’s target groups, as cannot be supported under its regular schemes. Financial assistance is given up to 90% of the approved expenditure to the voluntary and other eligible organizations. In the case of an organization working in a relatively new area where both voluntary and Government effort is very limited but the need for the service is very great, the Government may bear up to 100% of the cost. > Illustrative Intervention Areas 1. Projects to tackle problem areas that are relatively underserviced but for which there is an urgent need. 1. Projects that fill in essential gaps in existing services and complement them to maximize their impact. 1. Projects that provide integrated services, where all components need not be financially supported by one source. 1. Projects that offer preventive, protective, development, and rehabilitative services. 1. Projects to mobilize public opinion and support to address pressing social problems. 1. Projects for training workers in social welfare activities. 1. Projects not covered by any of the existing schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.