The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will organize a special event on August 8, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath, New Delhi, to celebrate five years of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). The event, aligned with the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, will see sisters from the Brahma Kumaris tying rakhis to nearly 400 CRPF jawans and officers, followed by a pledge ceremony where participants will commit to staying drug-free. The function will be presided over by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.
As the nodal ministry for drug demand reduction, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment coordinates efforts to prevent drug abuse, assess its extent, and facilitate treatment and rehabilitation. The NMBA, operational across all districts, focuses on raising awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse, particularly among youth in higher education institutes, schools, and communities. The campaign emphasizes community involvement to foster ownership of the initiative.
Substance use disorder, which disrupts individual health, families, and society, is a significant concern. Regular use of psychoactive substances can lead to neuro-psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular issues, accidents, suicides, and violence, making it a critical psycho-social-medical issue.
The NMBA has reached over 18.07 crore people, including 6.01 crore youth and 4.08 crore women, through various on-ground activities. Over 4.84 lakh educational institutions have participated to ensure the campaign’s message reaches young people. Additionally, more than 20,000 master volunteers have been trained to support the initiative. A national online pledge saw 1.67 crore students from 99,595 educational institutions commit to a drug-free life.
The campaign has leveraged technology and social media, with official accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and an NMBA mobile application for real-time data collection. The NMBA website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) offers detailed information, an online discussion forum, and an e-pledge platform. All de-addiction facilities have been geo-tagged for public accessibility.
The ministry has also signed MoUs with organizations like The Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, Ram Chandra Mission, ISKCON, and All World Gayatri Parivaar to conduct mass awareness activities. Events such as ‘Nashe se Azaadi- A National Youth and Students Interaction Programme’, ‘Naya Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat’, and ‘NMBA Interaction with NCC’ are regularly held to engage youth and stakeholders.
Through such initiatives, the Ministry aims to inspire young people and citizens to adopt healthier, value-driven lifestyles and steer clear of drugs.