Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to launch a nationwide 100-week campaign against drug abuse on August 2.
The campaign titled ‘Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan’, will involve weekly activities such as sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions and street plays.
The Prime Minister will address the nation on August 2, and more than one crore youth will take the ‘Nasha Mukti’ pledge, reaffirming their commitment to be drug-free and help others to be drug-free.
Drug abuse has emerged as one of the gravest threats confronting India’s youth. Easy availability of narcotics, changing lifestyles, peer pressure, unemployment, mental health issues and the influence of organised drug networks have contributed to the alarming rise in substance abuse across several states and Union Territories. The consequences extend far beyond individual lives, affecting families, communities, educational institutions and the nation’s economic productivity.
The proposed campaign seeks to address this challenge through continuous weekly activities over nearly two years. Sports competitions, walkathons, meditation sessions, street plays and community interactions may appear simple interventions, but they have the potential to create lasting awareness and encourage healthy lifestyles. These activities promote physical fitness, emotional well-being and social bonding—important protective factors against addiction.
The awareness campaigns need to be carried out in schools, colleges and universities. They should integrate drug awareness into their regular educational programmes. Parents need guidance to identify early warning signs of addiction, while teachers should be trained to provide timely counselling and referrals. Healthcare institutions must expand access to de-addiction centres, mental health services and rehabilitation facilities so that those battling addiction receive compassionate treatment rather than social stigma.
Equally important is the role of law enforcement agencies in dismantling drug trafficking networks. India has already intensified its crackdown on narcotics through coordinated action by various agencies. Yet, reducing supply alone cannot solve the problem unless accompanied by efforts to reduce demand. Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation must move hand in hand with enforcement.
For regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and several northeastern states, where drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern, this campaign carries particular significance. The active involvement of local communities, religious institutions, civil society organisations, sports clubs and youth groups can transform the campaign into a genuine grassroots movement. The vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ cannot be realised if a significant section of the nation’s youth falls prey to addiction. India’s demographic dividend is its greatest strength, and protecting young minds from the menace of drugs is an investment in the country’s future. |
