The Central Government is implementing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) to prevent substance abuse through sustained awareness campaigns, de-addiction, rehabilitation and counselling services across the country. In the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the campaign has reached more than 1.20 crore people, including over 69.14 lakh youth and 51.20 lakh women, while 8,565 Nasha Mukti Mitras have joined the nationwide movement against drug abuse, as on July 29 this year. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the campaign under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri B. L. Verma shared the details in a written reply to Shri Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi in Lok Sabha. The House was informed that the Ministry provides financial assistance to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations, NGOs and Government Hospitals for preventive education, awareness generation, treatment, rehabilitation and capacity-building programmes to reduce drug demand across the country.

The written reply further stated that the Ministry is supporting a comprehensive network of de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities in Jammu & Kashmir, including Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), 3 Outreach and Drop-In Centres (ODICs), 2 Community-Based Peer-Led Intervention (CPLI) programmes, 6 District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs), and 21 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) established in Government hospitals across the Union Territory.

The House was also informed that the Ministry operates the National Toll-Free De-addiction Helpline 14446, which provides primary counselling and referral services. The helpline has received more than 4.6 lakh calls across the country, including over 11,000 calls from Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting increased awareness and accessibility of support services.

The reply further highlighted that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched on 15 August 2020, has now been expanded to all districts of the country. The campaign focuses on educational institutions, universities and schools to create awareness against substance abuse through community participation. Nationally, the campaign has sensitised more than 29.05 crore people, including over 11.05 crore youth and 7.81 crore women, while more than 1.17 lakh Nasha Mukti Mitras have joined the movement.

Replying to the query regarding assessment of the campaign, the House was informed that the implementation of NMBA is regularly reviewed through monthly review meetings, Chintan Shivirs and National-Level Conferences with States and Union Territories. States and UTs are encouraged to establish and regularly convene State, District and Block-level NMBA Committees to strengthen coordination and ensure effective implementation. These efforts have contributed to sustained awareness generation, increased community participation, stronger inter-departmental coordination, and improved outreach for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services for persons affected by substance abuse.

PR-047/KV/GA

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