26-Jul-2022: Nasha Mukt Abhiyan

A nation-wide anti-drug campaign named 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' is being run in the country by the Ministry.

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020, in 272 identified districts, with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutions, university campuses, schools and reaching out into the community to garner community involvement and ownership of the Abhiyaan. The following activities have been organized so far:

1. As part of the Abhiyaan, special emphasis is laid on the participation of stakeholders such as women, children, educational institutions, civil society organizations etc. who may be directly or indirectly affected by substance use.
2. More than 8,000 Master Volunteers have been selected and trained to lead the Abhiyaan activities in the 272 identified districts.
3. Till now through the various activities undertaken on-ground 11.99+ Crore people reached out so far.
4. More than 3.54 Crore youth have actively participated in the activities of the Abhiyaan and spreading on-ground the message against substance use. Around 4,000+ Yuva Mandals, NYKS & NSS Volunteers, Youth Clubs have also been associated with the Abhiyaan.
5. The contribution of 2.01 Crore women have also been vital in reaching out to a larger community through the Anganwadi & ASHA Workers, ANMs, Mahila Mandals & Women SHGs.
6. Across the country till now, 13+ lakh students have been reached with events, competitions and sessions organized in 6000+ schools.
7. Social media has effectively been utilized to spread the message of the Abhiyaan online by creating handles on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and sharing daily updates on them.
8. An Android based mobile Application has been developed to capture the data of activities happening on ground on a real-time basis by the districts and master volunteers. This App has been placed on the Google Play Store.
9. A short film on the Abhiyaan, its objectives and the efforts of the districts has been made and released on social media.

Presently, this campaign is being run in 272 districts.

26-Jun-2022: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse.

The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is organized  Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run - 19th Run Against Drug Abuse today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Bhishma Pitamah Marg, Pragati Vihar, New Delhi. The Run is being organized in association with Health Fitness Trust, New Delhi. To wean away youth and others from drugs and to make our country drugs free, a Pledge will also be administered to the participants.

The Pledge will be followed by the Run to be flagged off by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment for spreading mass awareness against the drug abuse.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. This run is organized to create awareness for the same and to present a united front against Drug Abuse.

A nationwide drug-free India campaign namely Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is going on in 272 identified districts of the Country. There are more than 8000 master volunteers for campaign activities in these 272 districts, reaching out to more than 3.10 crore people including more than 1.20 crore youth and over 31 lakh women through various activities actually carried out so far. So far, the results of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan have been very encouraging and this Ministry is also working vigorously to declare 100 districts drug free by the end of the year 2022 within defined parameters.

This year’s theme is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”. The motive is to combat misinformation by sharing real facts on drugs — from health risks and solutions for the world drug problem to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.

 The Mass Event “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Run - Run against Drug Abuse” initiative is being taken and 1 km, 5 km, 10 km run, jumba classes, aerobics are being organized.

20-Sep-2020: Ministry Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 272 Most Affected Districts

The Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 272 most affected districts with focus on institutional support, community outreach and awareness generation. These districts are identified based on inputs from Narcotics  Control Bureau (NCB) and findings of  Comprehensive National Survey done  by Ministry. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan  in 272 districts is from 15th August 2020  to 31st March 2021. Abhiyaan Action Plan has the following components:-

1. Awareness generation programmes in   the community and Youth in particular
2. Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and  Schools
3. Community outreach and identification  of dependent population
4. Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings
5. Capacity Building Programmes for   Service  Providers.

14-Aug-2020: State Governments and 272 District Collectors are going to launch the Nasha Mukht Bharat Campaign on 15th August 2020

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot addressed the gathering of 272 District Collectors, 31 State Secretaries, more than 500 NGOs / VOs, Officers of Narcotics Control Bureau, Doctors and Professionals of NDDTC, AIIMS, and all the officers involved with “Nasha Mukt Bharat” campaign in the States and Districts here today through a Webcast of NIC to provide a significant impetus to the launch of the campaign.  He also launched four Campaign Posters. Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Shri Ram Das Athawale and Shri Rattan Lal Kataria also addressed on the occasion. Secretary, M/o SJ&E Shri R. Subrahmanyam delivered the welcome address. The programme also showcased Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign through a Power Point Presentation by Smt. Radhika Chakravarthy, Joint Secretary, M/o SJ&E which encompass the modalities and the activities to be carried out during the campaign period.

In his address Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign’ being implemented in 272 districts which are identified as most affected in terms of usage of substances. State Governments and the 272 District Collectors are going to launch the Nasha Mukht Bharat Campaign on 15th August 2020 which will run for 7 months till 31st March 2021. District and State level Nasha Mukt Bharat Committees formed would devise a strategy and Action plan for the campaign. These committees would ensure that campaign activities are effectively implemented, and the objectives of the campaign are met. These 272 districts have been identified based on the inputs received from Narcotics Control Bureau and the findings on the comprehensive National survey done by the Ministry.

Shri Gehlot said that the Government is committed for Nasha Mukht Bharat. The financial allocation of Rs. 43 crore in 2017 has been enhanced to Rs. 260 crore in 2020. This fivefold enhancement shows that the government attaches great importance to this campaign. He also congratulated States Governments for effectively running the NAPDDR schemes.

The Campaign focuses on 272 most affected districts by launching a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Department. The Campaign Plan has the following components:

• Awareness generation programmes;
• Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools;
• Community outreach and identification of dependent population;
• Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and
• Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.

Substance abuse is emerging to be a matter of concern in the country having adverse consequences not just for the person using drugs, but on the family and society at large.  Prevention has proven to be the most effective strategy to counter this problem.  Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment being the Nodal Ministry for Drug Demand Reduction coordinates, implements and monitors several interventions which include prevention, assessment of extent of the problem, treatment and rehabilitation of users, dissemination of information and generation of awareness among public. To assess the magnitude of the problem of substance use in the country, Ministry has done a comprehensive National Survey on Extant  and Pattern of Substance Use to ascertain the proportion of Indian population using various substances and those affected by substance use disorders. The findings of the National Survey were published in the year 2019.

26-Jun-2020: Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts

“Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” here today. On this occasion, he also released Logo and Tagline for National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction and 9 Video Spots produced for Drug Abuse Prevention. Secretary, M/o SJ&E Shri R. Subramaniam and Joint Secretary Ms. Radhika Chakravarty were present. Representatives from State governments and NGOs also participated online.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Rattan Lal Kataria said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment observes 26th June every year as “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”. It is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction which coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.

The Minister said that Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would focus on 272 most affected districts (list in Annexure) and launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Dept. The Action Plan has the following components: Awareness generation programmes; Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools; Community outreach and identification of dependent population; Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.

He said that based on the finding of the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India and list of districts which are vulnerable from the supply point of view provided by Narcotics Control Bureau, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would undertake intervention programmes in vulnerable districts across the country with an aim to: Reach out to Children and Youth for awareness about ill effect of drug use; Increase community participation and public cooperation; Supporting Government Hospitals for opening up De- addiction Centers in addition to existing Ministry Supported De-addiction Centers (IRCAs); and  Conducting Training programme for participants.

The Minister said that his Ministry provides community based services for the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through Voluntary Organizations. It provides financial assistance to NGOs across the country for running de-addiction centres. The Ministry has also set up a 24x7 National Toll Free drug de-addiction helpline number 1800110031 to help the victims of drug abuse, their family and society at large.

Shri Kataria said that the Ministry has also prepared a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction for the period 2018-2025 which aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, de-addiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families. The Action Plan includes components for preventive education and awareness generation, capacity building, treatment and rehabilitation, setting quality standards, focussed intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts, State/UT specific interventions, surveys, studies, evaluation and research etc.

Shri Subramaniam in his address said that the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking is at Society level andso we have to involve Communities along with health department officials with focus on our youths. He said that the funds for this programme in the year 2017-18 was Rs 49 crores and now in the year 2019-20 it was Rs 110 crores and in the year 2020-21, the fund has been increased to Rs 260 crores, i.e. more than 5 times. It shows our commitment to tackle this grave problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Taking cognizance of the fact that addressing the problem of drug abuse requires concerted action at different levels of the Government, the Ministry has asked the State Governments to plan and take specific initiatives, taking into account their local considerations and devise specific and suitable strategies for drug demand reduction in their identified areas. The State Governments have also been involved in the monitoring process for programmes under the NAPDDR in order to ensure its effective implementation.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment could not conduct the presentation of the National Awards for outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking today.