Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: Impact, Steps, and Implementation

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) is a national effort against substance abuse. It focuses on prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation. The Abhiyan seeks to build a stronger, healthier India by reducing drug demand. NMBA has strong relevance across multiple General Studies (GS) papers in UPSC, especially in topics related to governance, social issues, and public health. 

Read more to know the details about the NMBA scheme India, including its impact, structure, and steps taken under it.

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What is Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) is a comprehensive substance abuse awareness campaign in India. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started this initiative to tackle drug addiction across the country. Understanding NMBA is crucial for recognizing efforts toward a drug-free society.

Core Objectives

The primary goal of NMBA is to spread awareness about substance use. It also aims to reduce drug demand. The campaign encourages individuals to seek help for addiction. A key focus is on preventing drug abuse among vulnerable groups.

Background

The rise of substance abuse in India has been a growing social concern, prompting national-level attention and policy action. 

Early discussions and national surveys helped establish the seriousness of the issue, creating the foundation for a structured drug-free India campaign led by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

• Hon’ble Prime Minister in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ in December 2014 had highlighted how “The drug menace brings about the Three D’s.
  • Darkness
  • Destruction
  • Devastation
• In 2019, to assess and know the magnitude of the problem of substance use in the country, a Comprehensive National Level Survey on the ‘Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India’ was conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Center(NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi

Launch and Expansion

The evolution of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) reflects a gradual scaling of efforts to address substance abuse across the country. What began as a focused initiative has now transformed into a nationwide drug-free India mission, ensuring broader reach and deeper impact.

• The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan began on August 15, 2020. Initially, it targeted 272 vulnerable districts.
• From August 15, 2023, the campaign expanded to include all districts in India. The expansion shows a strong commitment to a drug-free India mission.

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Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Impact

The effectiveness of NMBA can be understood through its wide-ranging engagement strategies and measurable outcomes. Its approach emphasizes grassroots participation, making it a strong community outreach anti-drug initiative that drives awareness and behavioural change. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan led to:

• Mass Awareness: Activities engage communities, schools, and colleges.
• Youth Engagement: The campaign targets youth through educational programs.
• Women’s Involvement: It involves women in awareness and prevention efforts.
• Community Participation: Over 8.23 lakh activities have engaged more than 25.99 crore people. This demonstrates a significant community outreach anti-drug initiative.

Here are key impacts:

UNDP’s impact assessment report 2021 found 64% awareness, 76% support, 23% participation, and 50% awareness of treatment and rehabilitation centres through NMBA. Also, 6.21+ lakh recovered users joined NMBA activities 

Steps Taken Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Scheme 

To ensure comprehensive implementation, the Ministry of Social Justice campaign under NMBA focuses on multiple intervention areas. These steps collectively strengthen prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation under a unified drug abuse prevention programme.

Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs)

Addiction treatment facilities ATF India: Under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), ATFs are established. These facilities offer treatment and rehabilitation services.

• NDDTC, AIIMS, sets up ATFs in government hospitals. Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health(LGBRIMH), Tezpur, also establishes ATFs in the North East. 
• Currently, 154 approved ATFs are operational(149 through NDDTC, AIIMS, and 5 through LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam).

 This highlights the rehabilitation centres India scheme within the NMBA.

National Toll-Free Helpline 

A national toll-free helpline (14446) supports substance users, and it started in 2017 for drug abuse prevention. It offers 24/7 tele-counselling. The helpline refers individuals to nearby de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. 

• Old number: 1800-11-0031
• New number: 14446
• Integrated with:
  • Narcotics Control Bureau MANAS Helpline (1933)
  • Tele-MANAS

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Capacity Building

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conducts capacity-building programs. These programs train counsellors, healthcare professionals, and NGOs. They focus on early identification, counselling, and after-care. 

• Over 28,000 master volunteers have been sensitized.

 This strengthens the drug abuse prevention programme.

Second Survey Being Organised by NDDTC, AIIMS

The second survey under the drug de-addiction programme in India is underway. Final results are expected by 2027.

The findings will:

• Strengthen the substance abuse awareness campaign in India
• Improve the delivery of the drug de-addiction programme in India
• Enhance coordination between agencies working on alcohol and drug prevention in India.
• Make the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan scheme more data-driven and effective.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Implementation

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan scheme employs a multi-pronged approach. This strategy ensures comprehensive action against drug abuse. It involves three key mechanisms for effectiveness.

Three-Pronged Approach

The campaign uses a three-pronged strategy:

1. Supply Curb: The Narcotics Control Bureau works to reduce the drug supply.
2. Outreach and Awareness: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment leads awareness drives. This helps with controlling substance abuse in India.
3. Treatment: The Health Department provides treatment facilities. This ensures medical support for recovery.

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Implementation Structure

The NMBA has a structured implementation model:

• District Level: District Collectors chair committees. These committees create and oversee local action plans. They also select and supervise Master Volunteers.
• State Level: State Abhiyaan Committees monitor district activities. They provide guidance and coordination.
• Central Level: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment supervises overall implementation. Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) ensures smooth progress. This framework ensures a wide reach and strong oversight.

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