Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, India’s campaign against drug abuse, has now reached more than 35.88 crore people. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started it on 15 August 2020.
As of 12 November 2026, the campaign has made over 14.35 crore young people and 11.33 crore women aware of the dangers of drugs. A senior ministry official says it has grown from a government programme into a people’s movement.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Grew From a Small Start to Every District
At first, the campaign worked only in 272 districts, which were seen as the most at risk from drug use. In August 2022, it was extended to 372 districts. Since 15 August 2023, it has been running in every district of the country.
The growth in numbers is big. In 2021, the campaign had reached only about 1.4 crore people. Today, that figure is more than 35.88 crore.
Schools and colleges play a large part. Over 34.07 lakh awareness activities have been held in educational institutions. The idea is to get students talking openly about what drugs can do to a person. The official said the goal is to help young people think carefully, make smart choices and live healthy lives.
Nasha Mukti Mitras and Treatment Centres Are Helping People Recover
The need for this campaign is clear from the numbers. India’s first national survey on drug use, done in 2018, found that over 7 crore people were affected by drug-related problems. That included about 1.2 crore children and 58 lakh women.
The ministry treats drug dependence as a mix of social and medical problems. It does not see it as a person’s weakness alone. The problem affects the person, their family and the whole community. So the campaign sits under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), which focuses on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Help is now easier to find. The number of people taking treatment and counselling rose from 2.08 lakh in 2020-21 to over 9.11 lakh in 2025-26. The country now has 198 district de-addiction centres.
Ordinary citizens are joining in too. More than 2 lakh people have signed up as “Nasha Mukti Mitra”, or friends who help fight drug abuse. These volunteers spread awareness and encourage people who need help to ask for it. They also help build drug-free communities.
State governments, districts, schools, colleges and local groups all support the campaign. Together, they are working to build a healthier and more aware India.
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