Government launches 100-week campaign against drug abuse and illicit trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of a comprehensive 100-week nationwide campaign aimed at curbing substance abuse, drug trafficking, and illicit trade across India. Highlighting that youth recovering from addiction are real national heroes, the campaign mobilizes central law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions to combat the growing menace of narcotic substances.

This multi-pronged initiative operates under the broader framework of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The campaign aligns with India's international commitments under United Nations conventions, including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Key technical action points include rigorous border surveillance by the Narcotics Control Bureau, increased rehabilitation funding, and extensive community outreach in over 372 identified vulnerable districts. The campaign establishes operational de-addiction centers, toll-free helpline numbers, and comprehensive skill-rebuilding programs for recovered youth, integrating supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction strategies over the designated 100-week period.

Addressing public drug addiction directly impacts community health, economic productivity, internal national security, and social cohesion. For civil services aspirants, this story offers valuable analytical material for GS Paper 2 governance topics, GS Paper 3 internal security challenges related to cross-border narco-terrorism, and potential essay topics regarding youth empowerment, social welfare policies, and institutional legal enforcement mechanisms.