Posted On:
12 NOV 2026 4:13PM by PIB Delhi
The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 15 August 2020, has evolved into a nationwide people's movement against substance abuse, reaching over 35.88 crore people across the country as on 12 November 2026.
The campaign has connected with more than 14.35 crore youth and 11.33 crore women, reflecting its expanding outreach among key sections of society. More than 2 lakh citizens have also enrolled as Nasha Mukti Mitr, strengthening community participation in the collective effort to build a drug-free India.
A Senior Official in the Ministry said the Abhiyaan was initially launched in 272 districts identified as particularly vulnerable to substance use, that was subsequently expanded to 372 districts in August 2022 and extended to all districts of the country with effect from 15 August 2023.
He said over the past six years, NMBA has evolved from an initiative driven by institutional participation into a community-led movement, with States, districts, educational institutions, civil society organisations and local stakeholders actively contributing to its implementation.
The Official said the Campaign has reached over 35.88 crore people as on date, marking a significant expansion from approximately 1.4 crore people reached in 2021. Its growing footprint reflects sustained efforts towards awareness generation, community mobilisation and encouraging citizens to actively participate in the movement against substance abuse, he further said.
The Official noted that more than 34.07 lakh awareness activities have been conducted in educational institutions, engaging students and young people in discussions on the harmful consequences of substance use.
These activities aim to promote informed choices, encourage healthy lifestyles and strengthen awareness about substance abuse prevention among the younger generation, he added.
He said the NMBA’s expansion is rooted in the need to address substance dependence as a complex psycho-social and medical challenge affecting individuals, families and communities.
The Official informed the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, conducted in 2018, highlighted the scale of the challenge, indicating that more than 7 crore people in the country were affected by substance use disorders, including nearly 1.2 crore children and 58 lakh women.
Recognising the need for a comprehensive and sustained response, the Ministry launched NMBA as the flagship awareness initiative under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), which focuses on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, the Official said.
Alongside awareness generation, the Ministry has strengthened the treatment and counselling ecosystem under NAPDDR, the Official noted.
Emphasizing that the expansion of these services highlights the importance of accessible treatment, timely intervention and sustained rehabilitation in addressing substance dependence, the Official said the number of persons seeking treatment and counselling has increased from 2.08 lakh in 2020-21 to over 9.11 lakh in 2025-26, reflecting the growing reach and utilisation of support services. The total number of District De-Addiction Centres in the country is now 198 as on date, he added.
The Official further said a key component of NMBA is the Nasha Mukti Mitr initiative, which encourages citizens to become active participants in the movement against substance abuse.
With more than 2 lakh citizens enrolled as Nasha Mukti Mitr as on 12 November 2026, the initiative is fostering a network of community volunteers who contribute to awareness generation, encourage individuals to seek assistance and support the creation of drug-free communities, he added.
Through sustained awareness campaigns, strengthened treatment and rehabilitation services and active citizen participation, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan continues to advance the vision of a healthier, informed and drug-free society.
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PR-222-TAR/KV/GA/RK