Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance (IAPA) is a Non Governmental Organization, established and registered under the Indian Trust Act in 2004, to prevent alcohol related harm through evidence based policy intervention, advocacy and capacity building. IAPA is affiliated to the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and is supported by FORUT - Campaign for Development and Solidarity.

The activity of IAPA was formally launched at a National Seminar on “Alcohol Abuse, Policy and Advocacy” organized in association with the Directorate of Prohibition, Govt. of Delhi on May 4, 2005 at the Government Secretariat Hall, New Delhi. Dr. Yoganand Shastri, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Social Welfare, Govt. of Delhi inaugurated the Seminar, participated by national and international experts on alcohol policy advocacy. The Hon’ble Minister also unveiled the logo of IAPA.

Dr. S Arul Rhaj, Chairman, IAPA presided over the function. Mr. Narendra Kumar IAS, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Delhi,Mr. Derek Rutherford, Chairman, GAPA, Mr. Oystein Bakke, FORUT-Norway,Mr. Jitendra Narain, Director of Social Welfare & Prohibition, Dr. Cherian Verghese, National Professional Officer, WHO, Dr. Vivek Benegal, Associate Professor, NIMHANS, Dr. Shanthi Ranganathan, Secretary IAPA, Mr. Johnson J. Edayarnmula, Director, ADIC-India, Dr. Hariharan, Chief Executive, IAPA and Ms. Monika Arora, Director, HRIDAY addressed the function.  

According to Mr. Derek Rutherford, “There is a rising concern of alcohol abuse in the third world and developing countries. Thisis mainly due to a lack of scientific information on regulatory policies. IAPA would be fully supported by GAPA in attaining the set objective of minimising alcohol related harm in the country. I wish IAPA all the best and look forward to see India to set examples for other countries in the South Asian region.”