India: UNODC extends support to Youth-Focused Anti-Drug Awareness Campaigns led by Indian Lawmaker 

New Delhi, India/23 September 2022: In India, drug use has emerged as an area of concern in recent years. According to a 2019 AIIMS survey on the magnitude and extent of substance use in India, there were 31 million cannabis users in the country among those aged 10–75, while the number of opiate users was reported to be 23 million. The survey also indicated approximately 11.8 million people are current users of sedatives and inhalants.

Drug use affects not only human lives, but also the global economy, social dynamics, human rights, and overall security and stability of nations. The impact on children and youth is particularly significant given their vulnerabilities--but they can also play a critical role in ending the scourge of illicit drugs.

In this direction, UNODC engages and empowers young people on SDGs, integrity, peace and health to address drugs, crime and risky behaviours. Recognizing the need to prevent and address this problem, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also embarked on a national awareness program—the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug Free India Campaign).

In support of this nationwide initiative, UNODC partnered and participated in a series of anti-drugs campaigns in New Delhi led by Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament and Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Government of India. Aimed at raising public awareness on drug use prevention and treatment, the campaigns--held in New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University and Apeejay School Panchsheel Park--brought together young people, educators, women self-help groups, community representatives and civil society.  

Reflecting on the issue, Mrs. Lekhi highlighted the perils of drug use on health and communities and urged youth to take a pledge for drug free India. “Nasha Mukt Bharat is a cause each of us should support and commit to.  Overall, a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response is necessary to address drug use in a systematic manner. The active involvement of each of you, your families, your communities, and agencies like UNODC that are working in this direction, is essential in these efforts.”

During the events, young people from educational institutions enthusiastically supported the campaign and shared key messages on drug use with speeches and street theatre.

Dr. Suruchi Pant, Deputy Representative of UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, emphasised a 'whole of society' approach to prevent drug use. “UNODC is pleased to support India's Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyan. Drug use prevention programmes are effective when they respond to the needs of a community, involve all the relevant sectors and are based on scientific evidence. Hence, this fight requires all stakeholders, including governments, schools, families, teachers, communities and NGOs to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Launched in 2020, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan—spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India—covers 272 Districts across India, identified as most vulnerable in terms of usage of drugs in the country.

This activity contributes to SDG 3, SDG 5 and 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/