The central government Wednesday launched a national toll-free helpline to provide assistance to people dependent on alcohol and drugs.
The move to launch the helpline number 1800-11-0031 comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the youth of the country to give up drugs in his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme in December.
The helpline was launched by the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot at a special function here, an official release said.
He called up the toll free helpline and inquired about the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
The helpline will operate from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. It will be upgraded to 24x7, based on the number of calls it receives.