PM Modi to launch ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's launch of the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' marks a significant milestone in India's ongoing battle against substance abuse, positioning youth empowerment at the core of the nation's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. This 100-week Jan Bhagidari (people's participation) campaign, launched via video conferencing across over 10,000 locations, represents a paradigm shift from top-down enforcement to community-driven prevention. The initiative builds upon decades of legislative and policy efforts, including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which provides the legal framework for drug control, and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) 2018-2025, formulated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Constitutionally, Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates that the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health, making this campaign a direct implementation of constitutional directive. The involvement of MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) volunteers and National Service Scheme (NSS) units — both operating under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — creates a powerful institutional architecture for grassroots mobilization. MY Bharat, launched in October 2023 as an autonomous body, serves as a unified platform for youth development, while NSS, established in 1969, has a proven track record of community service. This dual-track approach leverages both institutional memory and fresh organizational energy. The campaign's significance extends beyond health: substance abuse costs India an estimated 1.3% of GDP annually in lost productivity, healthcare burden, and law enforcement costs (per AIIMS-National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre data). With 2.1% of Indians aged 10-75 using opioids and 2.8% using cannabis (National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use, 2019), the demographic dividend is at risk. The 100-week duration aligns with the 2047 timeline, suggesting a sustained, measurable intervention rather than a symbolic gesture. Politically, it reinforces the government's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' framework by making citizens active stakeholders. Internationally, it supports India's commitments under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), and UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic (1988). Future implications include potential integration with the National Health Mission's mental health component, expansion of de-addiction centers under NAPDDR, and possible amendments to the NDPS Act to emphasize rehabilitation over punishment for users. The campaign's success will depend on sustained funding, inter-ministerial coordination (Health, Home Affairs, Social Justice, Youth Affairs), and robust monitoring mechanisms — making it a critical case study for governance and public policy aspirants.