Welcome to Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
NMBA
Welcome to Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Drug addiction has become a serious concern in the country, especially among the younger generation. Its effects are not limited to the person using drugs but extend to families, communities, and society at large. The rise in substance abuse has contributed to an increase in crime rates and has had an overall damaging impact on social well-being. Hon’ble Prime Minister in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ in December 2014 had highlighted how “The drug menace brings about the Three D’s. First D is Darkness, the second D is Destruction, and the third D is Devastation.” The Government, since 2014, has been making concerted efforts to counter this threat, which has helped strengthen the actions and cooperation to achieve the goal of a society free of drug abuse.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) is the nodal Ministry for Drug Demand Reduction and, as part of its mandate, has introduced measures to curtail substance abuse in the country. MoSJE formulated and enacted the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). The scheme focuses on preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counseling, treatment, rehabilitation of individuals with substance dependence, training, and capacity building of the service providers through collaborative efforts of the Central and State Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations.
To assess and know the magnitude of the problem of substance use in the country, a Comprehensive National Level Survey on the ‘Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India’ was conducted by MoSJE through National Drug Dependence Treatment Center, AIIMS, New Delhi, which was published in 2019. This survey highlighted the extent of the issue, identifying around 7.1 crore individuals engaged in substance use across the country.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 Districts identified as most vulnerable in terms of substance use. The Abhiyaan on 15th August 2023 has been expanded to all Districts of the country. Being a campaign mode programme, the Abhiyaan has targeted and involved stakeholders that might be directly or indirectly affected by substance abuse and those who are vulnerable to it. The major stakeholders and beneficiaries of the NMBA are Youth, Women, Children, Educational Institutions, Civil Society, and the Community at large.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign is a three-pronged attack combining the supply curb by Narcotics Control Bureau, Outreach and Awareness and Demand Reduction effort by Social Justice and Empowerment and treatment through Health Department.
Implementation Structure
The identified districts are responsible for leading the implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan through District Level Nasha Mukt Committees formed specifically for this purpose. These committees are headed by the District Collector or District Magistrate, who, along with other members, prepare and oversee the District Level Action Plan to ensure effective execution of the Abhiyaan within their region.
At the state level, State Abhiyaan Committees monitor the activities of all selected districts. These committees are chaired by the Principal Secretary or Chief Secretary of the department responsible for drug prevention programmes in the state. Their role is crucial, as they track the progress of district-level efforts and provide necessary guidance, coordination, and support.
At the central level, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment oversees the overall implementation of the Abhiyaan. Monitoring is carried out through multiple established mechanisms as well as through the State Coordinators of the Project Monitoring Unit, ensuring that the campaign progresses smoothly across all targeted districts and states.
At the district-level, the District Level Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan Committees, chaired by the District Commissioner or District Magistrate and consisting of representatives from key stakeholder departments such as Health, Education, Women & Child Development, NCB, Police, and various organizations working in this field, have been given the responsibility of implementing and monitoring the Abhiyaan in their respective districts. These committees prepare the district action plan and guide all major activities under the Abhiyaan, ensuring effective coordination and execution.
District Level Nasha Mukt Committees
They are also responsible for selecting and supervising the Master Volunteers, who serve as crucial frontline contributors to the campaign and play an important role in community awareness and outreach.
