Strengthening Legal Frameworks For Drug Education In Indian Schools: A Policy Perspective

Abstract

Drug abuse among students ranks among the current public challenges in the Indian context and requires a collective approach to address the menace comprehensively. The supporting research is a doctrinal study on policy implications regarding enhancing legal frameworks on drug education in Indian schools. It endeavours to use the analysis of existing legislation, educational policies, and empirical studies to generate insights and policy proposals to enhance the legal bases of drug education laws in Indian schools. As such, it builds on the current landscape of the legal background of drug education provisions in the current Indian legislative documents, such as sections of the National Education Policy, as well as the efficiency of the current provisions to respond to the menace in the students’ domain. The study also deliberates the stakeholders’ mandate, such as schools, teachers, students, and parents, in the delivery of drug education strategies in the students’ docket. An exploration of the comparative landscape of other schools in the world aims to draw parallels and suggest areas that require more focus in the Indian context. The study will also highlight the existing awareness and available training platforms for educators to deliver the proposed curriculum. The research will conclude with policy recommendations touching on amendment and retroactive approaches to legislation, curriculum recommendations, and, lastly, agency collaboration.