Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan', a 100-week national campaign against youth substance abuse, with over one crore young citizens participating from more than 28,000 locations nationwide. The initiative aims to create a physically healthy, mentally robust, and confident younger generation free from self-destructive habits, which is considered essential for achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 development goals.
The campaign originated as a pilot project from Kashi the previous year and has now expanded into a national movement supported by over 125 spiritual organizations and numerous NGOs under the Kashi Declaration. The 100-week action plan will feature dedicated activities every Sunday spanning art, culture, sports, and meditation to continually engage new participants. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted that the MY Bharat platform, which connects over 2.23 crore youth across the country for volunteering and leadership opportunities, will serve as the primary vehicle for advancing this mission.
The Prime Minister warned youth about the devastating impacts of substance abuse, noting how addiction derails focus and destroys dreams while causing collateral damage to families and weakening national strength. He emphasized that drugs provide only temporary highs but result in permanent lows for careers and family lives. The government reported unprecedented nationwide crackdowns with massive drug seizures worth thousands of crores and soaring arrest rates targeting dealers and smugglers.
The campaign includes comprehensive support systems for recovery through societal cooperation, yoga, meditation, and modern rehabilitation centers. Academic professionals were urged to integrate discussions about drug dangers into their curriculum and launch anti-intoxication movements on campuses. The initiative also calls for societal respect and second chances for those recovering from addiction, rejecting the stigma associated with their past.