Report on Substance Abuse Awareness Programme in Kurnool and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

An extensive awareness programme was conducted in Dharmapeta, Kurnool, to address the eradication of alcohol and drug addiction. The initiative, organised by the Prohibition and Excise Department, targeted economically underprivileged workers to educate them on the perils of substance abuse. This report details the event’s proceedings and analyses its direct contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Programme Overview and Objectives

The primary goal of the event was to foster an addiction-free lifestyle among vulnerable populations by highlighting the severe consequences of substance abuse. Key details of the programme include:

• Organiser: Prohibition and Excise Department
• Chief Guest: Sudheer Babu, District Prohibition and Excise Officer
• Target Audience: Illiterate, unskilled, and economically underprivileged workers
• Key Participants: Representatives from local NGOs (CARE Committee) and the Excise Special Task Force (ESTF)
• Attendance: Approximately 100 community members

Addressing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The programme’s core message centred on the devastating health and social impacts of addiction, directly aligning with SDG 3. The discussions emphasised that substance abuse leads to:

• Severe deterioration of physical and mental health.
• The breakdown and disintegration of family units and social support structures.
• Increased vulnerability to other health crises.

By focusing on prevention and providing information on treatment, the initiative directly supports SDG 3, Target 3.5: “Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”

Contribution to Broader Socio-Economic SDGs

The event acknowledged that substance abuse is a critical barrier to socio-economic development. The programme’s impact extends to several interconnected SDGs:

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): By educating attendees on the adverse financial repercussions of addiction, the programme aims to protect the financial stability of low-income families and prevent them from falling deeper into poverty.
2. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Tackling addiction within the workforce promotes a healthier, more reliable, and productive labour force, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
3. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The initiative specifically targeted a vulnerable and marginalized demographic, representing a direct effort to empower them with knowledge and resources, thereby reducing health and economic inequalities.
4. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Promoting a substance-free society contributes to safer and more resilient communities by strengthening social cohesion and reducing addiction-related social problems.

Institutional Action and Community Mobilisation for SDG 16

The programme exemplified a strong institutional response and commitment to community welfare, a cornerstone of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Key actions included:

• Dissemination of information regarding government support mechanisms, including rehabilitation programmes, counseling centres, and helpline services.
• Collaboration between government bodies (Prohibition and Excise Department, ESTF) and civil society organisations (NGOs).
• Emphasis on the importance of collective community effort in prevention and recovery, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

Conclusion

The awareness programme in Dharmapeta was a significant intervention that addressed substance abuse as a critical public health issue and a major impediment to sustainable development. By framing the problem within the context of health, economic stability, and community well-being, the initiative effectively advanced multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The event underscored that targeted, community-based education is essential for empowering vulnerable groups and building a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable society.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is the “devastating effects of substance addiction” on physical and mental health. It describes an awareness program aimed at eradicating alcohol and drug addiction to promote a “healthier, addiction-free lifestyle.”

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article explicitly links substance abuse to economic hardship. The program targets “economically underprivileged workers” and highlights how addiction “adversely impacts financial stability,” which is a direct concern of SDG 1.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The initiative described is an “extensive awareness programme” designed to “educat[e] vulnerable groups.” It involves providing “valuable insights” and distributing “informative material” about the dangers of substance abuse, which constitutes a form of non-formal education for sustainable lifestyles.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The program was organized “under the aegis of the Prohibition and Excise Department,” a government body. This demonstrates institutional action to address a social issue, involving collaboration with an NGO (“CARE Committee”), which relates to building effective and accountable institutions that serve the public.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

     The article directly addresses this target by describing an “awareness programme aimed at eradicating alcohol and drug addiction.” It also mentions government support mechanisms like “rehabilitation programmes, counseling centres and helpline services,” which are key components of prevention and treatment.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

     The article mentions “government schemes and support mechanisms” for a vulnerable group described as “illiterate, unskilled and economically underprivileged workers.” These support systems function as a form of social protection to mitigate the financial shocks caused by addiction.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

     The awareness program’s goal is to spread “awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and encouraging a healthier, addiction-free lifestyle.” This is a direct example of providing education for sustainable lifestyles to a specific community group.

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

     The involvement of the “Prohibition and Excise Department” and the “Excise Special Task Force (ESTF)” in organizing a community-facing awareness program demonstrates an effort by government institutions to be effective and responsive to social problems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 3.5 (Prevention and treatment of substance abuse):

  • Mentioned Indicator: The number of participants in awareness programs. The article states, “around 100 people from the community had participated enthusiastically in the session.” This measures the reach of prevention efforts.
  • Implied Indicator: Coverage of treatment services. The article’s mention of “rehabilitation programmes, counseling centres and helpline services” implies that the number of people accessing these services could be used as an indicator to measure treatment coverage.

• For Target 4.7 (Education for sustainable lifestyles):

  • Mentioned Indicator: The number of people reached through educational programs on sustainable lifestyles. The “100 people” who participated is a direct measure. The “distribution of informative material” is another output indicator of this educational effort.

• For Target 1.3 (Social protection for the vulnerable):

  • Implied Indicator: The number of vulnerable individuals accessing support services. The article focuses on “economically underprivileged workers” and the availability of “government schemes and support mechanisms.” An implied indicator would be the proportion of this vulnerable group that utilizes these support systems.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thehansindia.com