Scheme of Assistance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse and for Social Defence Services

What is this scheme?

This is a grant-in-aid scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that funds voluntary organisations to prevent and treat alcohol and drug addiction and to provide social defence services. In current practice, the programme operates largely under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), through which the Ministry supports NGO-run de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities across the country.

The core idea is simple: instead of the government running every centre itself, it gives grant-in-aid: generally up to 90% of the approved cost, to registered voluntary organisations that run the day-to-day services. The remaining share is met by the organisation. People struggling with addiction then receive free counselling, detoxification, rehabilitation and follow-up at these centres.

Main features

• Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Grant-in-aid, usually up to 90% of approved cost, to NGOs.
• Funds de-addiction, rehabilitation and social defence services.
• Beneficiaries; people affected by substance abuse: receive free services, not cash.

Who is eligible for this scheme?

Who can apply (organisations):

• Registered voluntary organisations, societies, trusts and other non-profit bodies, typically registered for a minimum period (often two years) under the Societies Registration Act, a Trust Act or an equivalent law.
• Organisations with a valid NGO-DARPAN unique ID and audited accounts, that have the staff and premises to run a de-addiction or social defence centre.

Who cannot apply for money:

• An individual cannot apply for a personal grant. A person affected by addiction is a beneficiary of the services, not an applicant for funds.
• Organisations without proper registration, without an NGO-DARPAN ID, or without audited accounts and the capacity to run services are not eligible.
• For-profit entities are outside the scope; the grant is for non-profit service delivery.

If you or someone you know needs help, you do not need to apply for anything under this scheme. You reach out to a funded centre or the helpline directly, and the treatment is free.

What types of centres are funded?

Under NAPDDR, the scheme supports facilities such as:

• Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) — residential de-addiction and rehabilitation centres offering detoxification, counselling and follow-up.
• Outreach and Drop-In Centres (ODICs); community centres offering screening, referral and a safe space for people who use drugs.
• Community-based Peer Led Intervention (CPLI), prevention work with vulnerable adolescents and youth.
• Other de-addiction and social defence services aligned with the Ministry's guidelines.

What documents does an NGO need?

How to apply for the grant

1. Ensure the organisation is registered as a society, trust or non-profit and has a valid NGO-DARPAN unique ID from NITI Aayog.
2. Prepare a project proposal for the centre you want to run, IRCA, ODIC, CPLI or another approved service, with beneficiaries, staffing and budget.
3. Apply online through the Ministry's e-Anudaan / NGO grants portal, uploading the registration certificate, audited accounts, annual report and proposal.
4. The proposal is scrutinised by state authorities and the Ministry; inspections and recommendations feed into the sanction decision.
5. On approval, the grant-in-aid is released in instalments, and the organisation runs the centre and reports on utilisation and outcomes.

How a person in need gets help

• Call 14446, the national toll-free drug de-addiction helpline, for free and confidential counselling and referral.
• Visit an IRCA or ODIC near you; services at government-supported centres are free of charge.
• The State Social Welfare department and the National Institute of Social Defence can point you to the nearest funded facility.

Grant amounts and the exact list of funded activities are set by the Ministry's current guidelines. Because the detailed guideline pages were not accessible to an automated client at the time of writing, organisations should confirm the latest cost norms and application window on socialjustice.gov.in before applying.