International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
A national-level event was held on June 26, 2025, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The program was graced by Union Minister of State B.L. Verma, along with senior officers from the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
Theme & Objective
The event's theme—“Break the cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime”— emphasizes not only the health impact of substance abuse but also the organized-crime networks that exploit vulnerabilities, and calls for long-term, coordinated action
Flagship Initiative: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)
Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, NMBA is India’s national anti-drug movement. It aims to:
- Raise awareness on the harms of substance abuse
- Promote prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Mobilize public participation via a Jan-Andolan (people’s
movement)
Key Achievements to Date
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total people sensitised | 15.78 crore |
| Youth reached | 5.26 crore |
| Women reached | 3.31 crore |
| Educational institutions engaged | 4.31 lakh |
| Master Volunteers trained | 20,000+ |
| Students pledged digitally via app | 1.67 crore (99,595 institutions) |
Digital & Outreach Tools
- NMBA App (real-time activity tracking)
- NMBA website: info hub, e-pledge forum, interactive dashboard
- MoUs with The Art of Living, ISKCON, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, All World Gayatri Parivaar, etc., to enhance community engagement
Strategic Vision & Impact
- Zero-tolerance policy: Addiction framed as a psycho-social-medical issue to be tackled with both legal and empathetic approaches
- Public health emphasis: Substance use tied to mental illness, cardiovascular risks, accidents, violence, suicides
Duration & Nationwide Reach
- Campaigns conducted from June 1 to June 26, 2025, at local, district, and national levels
- All States, UTs, NGOs, voluntary organisations took part under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR)
