NEW DELHI, March 29: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar has called for intensified preventive efforts, scaling up of de-addiction services, and a broader expansion of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) to combat the drug menace across the country.
The directive came during the fifth meeting of the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR) held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in the national capital. The meeting was attended by Minister of State B L Verma, Social Justice Secretary Sudhansh Pant, senior government officials, and representatives from various states, Union Territories, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Deputy Director General Pratima Gupta presented an overview of key agenda points, including the progress achieved under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, alongside outlining a proposed strategic action plan for the period 2026-29.
Addressing the committee, Virendra Kumar urged all participants to actively and regularly contribute their views, suggestions, and feedback on the critical national issue of drug demand reduction. Discussions during the meeting centred on intensifying preventive measures, with a particular focus on outreach to children and youth. The engagement of students in higher education institutions for awareness programmes was also emphasized as a key strategy.
A significant focus was placed on the expansion of de-addiction and rehabilitation services nationwide. This includes the establishment of dedicated centres tailored for women and children, alongside ensuring strict adherence to established standard operating procedures for all facilities. The committee also deliberated on the need for better integration of existing de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities across various ministries. The development of a robust monitoring mechanism for drug demand reduction initiatives and the overall scaling up of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan were also identified as crucial areas for immediate attention.
Members further discussed the imperative for enhanced coordination between the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the Narcotics Control Coordination Mechanism (NCORD). This improved synergy is intended to be achieved through aligned meetings at both the state and district levels, fostering a more cohesive approach to tackling drug-related issues.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen nationwide efforts against the drug menace through a coordinated strategy involving the central government, state administrations, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.
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