Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, a nationwide 100-week campaign aimed at combating substance abuse among young people. Addressing the virtual launch, the Prime Minister called upon citizens, particularly the youth, to take a pledge against drugs, warning that while narcotics may offer a temporary sense of pleasure, they ultimately ruin lives, careers and families.
“Drugs can give you a high for some time, but they make your entire career and personal life low,” Modi said, stressing that a developed India requires physically and mentally healthy youth. He urged young people to stay away from every form of substance abuse and become active participants in creating a drug-free nation.
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The Prime Minister also linked drug trafficking to national security, saying hostile nations use the illegal drug trade as a tool to weaken India by targeting its youth. According to him, protecting young people from addiction is not only a social responsibility but also an important national objective.
Speaking about those battling addiction, Modi appealed to society to change its attitude towards recovering addicts. He said individuals who overcome substance abuse should be treated as fighters rather than being stigmatised.
“Society should respect them, embrace them and give them a second chance,” he said, adding that support from families, communities and professionals plays a crucial role in rehabilitation. He also encouraged parents not to conceal addiction due to fear of social judgment but instead seek timely medical and expert assistance.
The Prime Minister said the campaign is more than a government initiative, describing it as a collective resolve involving individuals, families and society. As part of the 100-week programme, activities will be organised every Sunday across the country to spread awareness and encourage public participation.
The campaign will feature sports competitions, walkathons, yoga and meditation sessions, cultural events, street plays, debates, art competitions and community outreach programmes, all designed to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse while promoting healthy lifestyles.
Modi also highlighted the government’s crackdown on drug trafficking, saying enforcement agencies have significantly increased arrests and seized narcotics worth thousands of crores of rupees. He said these actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling the drug menace at its source.
Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the campaign builds on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched in 2020, and seeks to mobilise young people as ambassadors of positive social change. The initiative aims to combine awareness, community participation and enforcement efforts to create a sustained movement against drug abuse and contribute towards the vision of a developed and drug-free India.
