Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, led the nation’s charge against drug abuse during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event held in New Delhi on June 26, 2025.
Addressing the Nation’s Challenge
“Drug abuse affects more than just the individual—it weakens families, damages communities, and fosters social stigma,” Shri Verma noted. He stressed that substance use must be addressed as a **psycho-social-medical problem**, not just a legal or moral issue.
He applauded the government’s flagship initiative, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), which works relentlessly to reduce the demand for narcotics across India.
The NMBA campaign, operational in all districts, has become a national movement. It focuses especially on youth in schools, colleges, and university campuses, while also reaching deep into communities with the help of over 20,000 trained Master Volunteers (MVs).
To date, NMBA has successfully:
- Sensitized over 15.9 crore people on substance abuse
- Engaged 5.29 crore youth and 3.32 crore women
- Collaborated with 4.39 lakh educational institutions
- Collected over 1.67 crore drug-free pledges from students across 99,595 schools and colleges
Building a Viksit Bharat with a Drug-Free Youth
Shri Verma emphasized the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He asserted that “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” will play a pivotal role in achieving that goal. Creating a drug-free generation is essential for India’s growth.
Moreover, the Ministry has made NMBA more accessible by launching a mobile app and an official website, where citizens can access real-time data, take online pledges, and engage with discussion forums.
Mass Awareness Through Cultural Engagement
At the New Delhi event, around 700 stakeholders participated, including officials, NGO representatives, student volunteers, spiritual leaders, and academic institutions. Programs included:
- Nukkad Natak (street plays)
- Pantomime performances on drug dependency
- Prize distribution for NMBA competitions via MyGov
- Mass pledge ceremonies
These efforts underscore the growing cultural consciousness around drug prevention, especially among young citizens.
Partnerships That Strengthen Impact
To boost the campaign’s reach, the Ministry has signed MoUs with spiritual and social organizations like:
- The Art of Living
- Brahma Kumaris
- Sant Nirankari Mission
- Ram Chandra Mission (Daaji)
- ISKCON
- All World Gayatri Parivaar
These groups help conduct large-scale awareness programs and strengthen the Jan Andolan (people’s movement) against drugs.
Conclusion
The International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025 served as a timely reminder that a drug-free society is not just a dream—it’s an achievable goal. With consistent awareness, community involvement, and youth engagement, India is well on its way to building a Nasha Mukt, Viksit Bharat.
For more on NMBA, visit nmba.dosje.gov.in or follow the campaign on official social media handles.