De-addiction Programs — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
Not a direct amendment to NDPS Act, but a significant legal development	2017	The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, significantly impacted the legal framework for de-addiction by explicitly recognizing substance use disorders as mental illnesses (Section 2(s)). This brought individuals with SUDs under the protective ambit of the Act, guaranteeing their right to mental healthcare and treatment (Section 18) and mandating the government to provide rehabilitation services (Section 100).	This reclassification shifted the perception of addiction from a purely criminal or moral issue to a health condition, promoting a human rights-based approach to treatment. It mandates integration of de-addiction services with broader mental healthcare, reducing stigma and improving access to comprehensive care. It also strengthens the legal basis for rehabilitation over punitive measures for drug users.
Not a direct amendment, but a policy shift	2018	Launch of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This replaced the earlier 'Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse' and expanded its scope to cover a wider range of substances and interventions, with a focus on preventive education, awareness generation, and community participation.	NAPDDR marked a more comprehensive and proactive approach to drug demand reduction, emphasizing prevention and community involvement alongside treatment and rehabilitation. It streamlined funding for NGOs running de-addiction centers and introduced new initiatives like Community-based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) programs, aiming for a more holistic and widespread impact across different age groups and vulnerable populations.