NMBA Takes Centre Stage on June 26
India will observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2025, with a national programme hosted by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma will attend the event as Chief Guest, accompanied by senior ministry officials.
This day serves as a powerful reminder that drug abuse is not just an individual issue, but a problem that affects families, communities, and the nation’s future.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: A Nationwide Movement
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has been leading India’s drug demand reduction strategy through the ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA). Launched in August 2020, the campaign now operates across all districts in India, promoting awareness, prevention, and community-based intervention.
So far, NMBA has shown remarkable results:
-
15.78 crore+ citizens sensitized, including over 5.26 crore youth and 3.31 crore women
-
Over 4.31 lakh educational institutions actively engaged
-
A cadre of 20,000+ trained Master Volunteers (MVs) supporting grassroots outreach
NMBA Tech Tools: Real-Time, Real Impact
To strengthen its monitoring and transparency, the Ministry developed the NMBA Mobile App, which tracks campaign data live from the field. District officials and volunteers use the app to upload activities and updates in real time.
Additionally, the official NMBA portal (nmba.dosje.gov.in) hosts:
-
An online pledge system, with 1.67 crore+ student sign-ups
-
A discussion forum for community interaction
-
A national dashboard to monitor campaign progress
Youth and Community at the Heart of the Campaign
Recognizing the importance of youth engagement, NMBA organizes interactive events like:
-
Nashe Se Azaadi: Youth-led dialogues on drug abuse prevention
-
NMBA-NCC Interface: National Cadet Corps joins forces with NMBA
-
Naya Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat: Vision-building for a clean future
The campaign also collaborates with spiritual and service groups like Art of Living, ISKCON, Brahma Kumaris, and All World Gayatri Parivar to amplify grassroots reach.
Social and Health Consequences of Drug Abuse
Drug addiction doesn’t only affect the health of individuals. It also leads to:
-
Mental illnesses and psychiatric disorders
-
Cardiovascular issues
-
Accidents, suicides, and domestic violence
Therefore, experts stress the need to address it not just as a crime, but as a psycho-social-medical issue that demands awareness, empathy, and intervention.
From Awareness to Jan Andolan
To commemorate the International Day, all states, UTs, NGOs, and volunteer organizations supported under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) have been directed to host awareness events between June 1 and 26. The aim is to turn NMBA into a Jan Andolan—a people’s movement.
The Ministry believes that only collective action can bring about a long-term societal change.
