Government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Reaches 25 Crore Indians to Combat Drug Abuse

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched by the government, has successfully educated nearly 25 crore Indians about drug abuse. Initially focused on 272 vulnerable districts, the campaign has now expanded nationwide. With significant participation from educational institutions, the initiative aims to raise awareness about substance use, particularly among youth and women. The government has also implemented various support systems, including a toll-free helpline for de-addiction services. This comprehensive approach highlights the government's commitment to combating drug addiction in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 2, 2025, 16:03 IST

Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse

New Delhi, Dec 2: The government announced in Parliament that approximately 25 crore Indians have been educated about drug abuse through the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA).

Initiated by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2020, NMBA aims to address the escalating issue of drug addiction in 272 of the country's most at-risk districts.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, B.L. Verma, stated in a written response in the Lok Sabha that the program has now been expanded to encompass all districts nationwide.

This national initiative seeks to engage the public and raise awareness about substance use, particularly targeting higher education institutions, university campuses, and schools.

“To date, over 24.9 crore individuals have been informed about substance use, including more than 8.7 crore youth and 6.0 crore women,” Verma noted.

“The involvement of over 12.15 lakh educational institutions has played a crucial role in disseminating the campaign's message to the youth and children across the nation,” he added.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment serves as the primary agency for drug demand reduction efforts in India.

To combat substance use, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has been executing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a centrally funded initiative.

This plan offers financial support to states, NGOs, and government hospitals for establishing Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) and Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, among other services.

As part of the NAPDDR, “349 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) and 45 community-based peer-led intervention programs for children under 18 have been established to promote drug awareness,” Verma explained.

Additional initiatives include 76 outreach and drop-in centers (oDICs), 154 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in government hospitals, and 139 District De-Addiction centers.

Moreover, the Department has launched a toll-free helpline for de-addiction at 14446, providing primary counseling and immediate referral services to individuals seeking assistance.

“So far, the helpline has received over 4.3 lakh calls,” Verma reported.