The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Thursday, 12 November 2026, disclosed that over 9.11 lakh people are currently receiving treatment across 198 district de-addiction centres spread across India. The figures underscore the scale of the country's substance abuse challenge and the expanding institutional response mounted under the government's flagship anti-drug programme.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: Scope and Reach

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched by the Ministry on 15 August 2020, has grown from a targeted institutional initiative into what officials describe as a nationwide people's movement against substance abuse. According to the Ministry, the campaign has so far reached over 35.88 crore people — a dramatic rise from approximately 1.4 crore people reached in 2021.

Among those contacted, more than 14.35 crore are youth and over 11.33 crore are women, reflecting a deliberate focus on demographic groups considered most vulnerable to substance dependence. More than 2 lakh citizens have additionally enrolled as Nasha Mukti Mitr — community volunteers who strengthen grassroots participation in the drug-free mission.

Geographic Expansion of the Programme

A senior Ministry official noted that NMBA was initially rolled out across 272 districts identified as particularly high-risk for substance use. The programme was subsequently widened to 372 districts in August 2022 and extended to all districts in the country effective 15 August 2023. This phased geographic rollout reflects a recognition that drug dependency is not confined to traditionally identified hotspots.

Awareness Activities in Educational Institutions

The official said more than 34.07 lakh awareness activities have been conducted specifically within educational institutions, engaging students and young people in evidence-based conversations about the consequences of substance use. These sessions aim to foster informed decision-making, promote healthier lifestyles, and build long-term prevention awareness among the younger generation.

Notably, over the past six years, the campaign has transitioned from being primarily government-driven to a community-led movement, with states, districts, civil society organisations, and local stakeholders actively co-implementing it.

The Scale of India's Drug Challenge

The Ministry traced the urgency of these efforts to the first National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India, conducted in 2018. That survey found that more than 7 crore people across the country were affected by substance use disorders — including nearly 1.2 crore children and 58 lakh women. The survey informed the launch of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), under which NMBA operates as the flagship awareness strand, complemented by treatment and rehabilitation infrastructure.

The Ministry said it has also strengthened the treatment and counselling ecosystem under NAPDDR alongside awareness generation. With over 9 lakh people already in active treatment and the outreach numbers continuing to climb, officials say the structural foundations for a sustained response are gradually taking shape.