Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Reaches Over 29.32 Crore Citizens Across The Country Through Community Participation And Nationwide Awareness Campaign

Key Highlights:

• The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims for a drug-free India.
• Operating under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), it initially covered 272 vulnerable districts and has now expanded nationwide.
• The Abhiyaan has reached over 29.32 crore citizens, including 11.20 crore youth and 7.92 crore women, through awareness campaigns.
• Over 21 lakh awareness activities have been conducted in educational institutions, engaging students and volunteers.
• Treatment services under NAPDDR have benefited over 28.29 lakh people through 768 facilities like Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs).
• The Drug De-addiction Helpline 14446 has received over 4.60 lakh calls, and the NMBA App 2.0 facilitates real-time reporting and citizen engagement.

Detailed Insights:

• The initiative focuses on prevention through awareness, community participation, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.
• It aims to create healthy and disciplined youth by fostering a nationwide movement against drug abuse.
• The Abhiyaan brings together various stakeholders including the Narcotics Control Bureau, State Governments, and NGOs.
• It adopts an evidence-based approach and contemporary methods to engage youth and converge efforts across ministries.
• The campaign has evolved into a Jan Andolan, emphasizing early prevention and community engagement, particularly among women's groups and higher educational institutions.
• The number of persons seeking treatment has increased by 294%, from 2.08 lakh in 2020 to over 8.20 lakh.
• The NMBA Pledge and Nasha Mukti Mitra initiative encourage citizens to volunteer and actively participate in the movement.
• The Ministry advocates a "Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society" approach to achieve a drug-free India.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA): A flagship campaign by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to combat substance abuse.
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): An umbrella scheme providing financial assistance to states/UTs for drug demand reduction activities.
• Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs): Facilities providing comprehensive treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation services for drug dependents.
• Nasha Mukti Mitra: Volunteers who take a pledge to promote a drug-free lifestyle and assist in awareness generation.