New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to formulate a National Action Plan to combat drug abuse amongst children.

While hearing a petition by the NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan, which had besides other things sought setting up of district level drug addiction centres, the apex court expressed concern over the growing menace of the drug abuse amongst children.

The bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the government to undertake a nation wide survey to identify the prevalence of drug abuse across the country.

It gave six months time to the government to put in place the National Action Plan, and four months time to undertake the survey.

While asking the governments -- both at the Centre and in the states -- to create awareness about the serious consequences of the drug abuse, the court directed the Centre to include in the school curriculum the subject on harmful effects of using drugs.