Substance use, the excessive and addictive nonmedical use of drugs, leads to severe social, psychological, and physical issues. It has become a serious societal issue, leading to the deterioration of individuals' health. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on 15th August 2020 to combat drug demand. As the nodal ministry for drug demand reduction, it coordinates various initiatives, including prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare, public information dissemination, and community awareness. NMBA initially targeted 272 vulnerable districts and has expanded nationwide, reaching over 23 crore individuals, including more than 7.81 crore youth, 5.24 crore women, and 17 lakh educational institutions. Through partnerships with various departments and stakeholders at the district, state, and national levels, NMBA's vision has been successfully implemented at the community level. These collaborations have fostered responsibility, reduced stigma, and promoted acceptance and accountability among citizens regarding substance use prevention.
The pledge aims to achieve the following goals:
Encourage Responsible Behaviour: It will instil a sense of responsibility among participants to stay
away from drugs and
Promote Unity and Commitment: The pledge ceremony will foster a sense of unity and collective purpose
among participants, encouraging them to work together towards a common goal.
Empower Youth: As the youth are the backbone of our nation's progress, this initiative will empower
youth to contribute actively to developing a drug-free society.
