The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on August 15, 2020, to fight drug demand across the country. The Ministry coordinates prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare, public information campaigns, and community awareness work, all under one push for collective action. Drug addiction in India has long stayed a quiet crisis, touching individuals, families and communities in both cities and villages. NMBA started out targeting 272 vulnerable districts and has since expanded nationwide, now reaching over 23 crore individuals, including more than 7.81 crore youth, 5.24 crore women, and 17 lakh educational institutions.
Ministers About Nasha Mukti
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar called NMBA a key nation-building initiative focused on raising a healthy, disciplined youth. He said the Abhiyaan has brought regulatory bodies like the Narcotics Bureau, State and District governments, Police, NGOs and hospitals together to work in coordination toward a drug-free India.
Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale described NMBA as a flagship campaign built to strengthen an evidence-based approach to substance abuse. He said the Abhiyaan’s approach is modern enough to engage youth and broad enough to bring every stakeholder’s efforts together under one goal: a substance-abuse-free India.
Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment B. L. Verma said NMBA is a national initiative aimed at a Drug-Free India, actively involving youth, women and community members, with particular focus on higher education institutions, youth clubs and women’s groups. He said the campaign works to spread awareness of substance abuse risks to every citizen. Verma added that through early prevention and community engagement, the movement is trying to build a healthier, happier society by encouraging a collective push to eliminate substance abuse.
Who’s Involved and How Things Have Changed
Youth, Women, Children, Educational Institutions, Civil Society and the community at large are the main stakeholders and beneficiaries of NMBA. Since it launched, a wide range of activities across the country have drawn participation from every section of society. The approach has shifted from organisational involvement to community involvement, and states, districts and other stakeholders have taken ownership of the Abhiyaan, helping turn it into a jan andolan, a people’s movement.
Partnerships across departments and stakeholders at the district, state and national level have helped bring NMBA’s vision down to the community level. These collaborations have built a sense of responsibility, cut down stigma, and encouraged acceptance and accountability among citizens around substance use prevention.
The Cost of Substance Abuse
Substance use, and the excessive, addictive non-medical use of drugs, leads to serious social, psychological and physical problems. It has grown into a major societal issue that wears down individuals’ health.
The NMBA Pledge is a volunteer initiative to reach out to victims of drug addiction. It encourages responsible behaviour, aims to instil a sense of responsibility in people to stay away from drugs, and works to build unity and commitment so stakeholders keep working toward a common goal. The Pledge also seeks to empower youth to actively help build a drug-free society.
The core message: come forward to promote and encourage drug de-addiction through the Helpline, 14446.
Key Takeaway: Launched on 15 August 2020, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) has evolved into a nationwide mass movement against substance abuse, reaching over 23 crore people, including 7.81 crore youth, 5.24 crore women, and 17 lakh educational institutions. By integrating prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, awareness campaigns, and community participation, the initiative promotes a coordinated, evidence-based approach involving governments, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and civil society. NMBA is an important flagship social welfare initiative that reflects India’s focus on public health, youth empowerment, community-led governance, and drug demand reduction through the national de-addiction helpline 14446.
M.C.Q.
Question 1: The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched by which Union Ministry?
- A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- B. Ministry of Home Affairs
- C. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Question 2: The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on:
- A. 2 October 2019
- B. 26 January 2020
- C. 15 August 2020
- D. 31 October 2020
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