New Delhi- Marking the “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, presided over a major national observance in New Delhi today. The event underscored India’s intensified commitment to battling drug addiction through community participation, cultural awareness, and institutional support under the flagship Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).
Speaking at the gathering, Shri Verma emphasized that substance abuse is not just an individual or familial crisis—it has ripple effects that damage the broader social fabric. “Drug dependence brings stigma, instability, and suffering to communities. It must be addressed with a comprehensive social, psychological, and medical approach,” the Minister said.
National Action Plan and Grassroots Mobilization
The Minister applauded the Ministry’s National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and commended the success of the NMBA initiative, which has made significant strides in reducing drug demand nationwide. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat by 2047”—a developed India where youth choose health and purpose over addiction.
The nationwide NMBA campaign, active across all districts, is focused on spreading awareness in schools, colleges, and communities through both online and offline outreach. The campaign’s motto, ‘Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life’, is at the heart of its growing success.
Highlights of the Day’s Celebrations
The event featured vibrant cultural programmes, including Nukkad Nataks (street plays), pantomime performances, and a mass pledge ceremony to promote a drug-free lifestyle. These performances painted a powerful picture of the destructive consequences of substance abuse, not only on individual health—leading to psychiatric issues, heart diseases, accidents, and suicides—but also on families and society at large.
Achievements of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA)
The campaign has shown impactful progress through widespread public engagement:
* “Over 15.9 crore people sensitized”, including “5.29 crore youth” and “3.32 crore women”.
* Participation of “4.39 lakh+ educational institutions”, ensuring outreach to students nationwide.
* A cadre of “20,000+ trained Master Volunteers (MVs)” facilitating on-ground awareness.
* Digital push with a dedicated “Mobile App” and “Social media campaigns”.
* “1.67 crore+ students” from nearly 1 lakh institutions have taken the “National Drug-Free Pledge”.
* Collaborations with spiritual and social organizations like “The Art of Living”, “Brahma Kumaris”, “ISKCON”, and “All World Gayatri Parivar” to scale mass awareness.
The NMBA’s dedicated website also offers interactive features such as district-wise dashboards, e-pledges, and discussion forums to foster a nationwide movement against drugs.
Community and Stakeholder Participation
Today’s event saw attendance from around 700 stakeholders —including officials from various central ministries, youth volunteers, representatives of spiritual organizations, NGOs, academic bodies, and corporate partners of the Ministry. As a build-up to June 26, States, Union Territories, and civil society organizations were actively engaged in conducting awareness events from June 1 to June 25 under the NMBA banner.
The government aims to convert this campaign into a true Jan Andolan (people’s movement), with communities taking ownership of the effort to create a drug-free India.
With its broad base of support, digital tools, and grassroots outreach, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan continues to grow into one of the largest and most participatory anti-drug movements in the world—one that is deeply rooted in the ideals of awareness, empathy, and collective responsibility.
