In an effort to combat the alarming rise of drug abuse in Assam, the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ was officially launched by Sanjay Kishan, the Minister of State for Labour and Welfare of the Assam Government. The launch took place on June 4th at the Brahmaputra Peace Retreat Centre Rongpuria in Tinsukia, with the event organized by the Brahma Kumaris Tinsukia Zone.
Expressing his concern over the widespread distribution of drugs in the region, Minister Sanjay Kishan emphasized the need for immediate action. He commended the Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual organization, for their commitment to addressing the issue of substance abuse. The minister acknowledged that their efforts would be instrumental in generating awareness among the youth at the village and block level regarding the grave consequences of drug addiction.
Under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ campaign, the involvement of various stakeholders, including women, children, educational institutions, and civil society, will be crucial to ensuring its success as a mass movement against drugs. The program aims to create awareness and reduce the demand for drugs of abuse across the country.
Swapneel Paul, IAS DC Tinkukia, highlighted the severity of the drug addiction problem, particularly among the younger generation in Tinsukia. He emphasized that drug abuse not only adversely affects the individuals using drugs but also has far-reaching consequences for families and society as a whole. The rise in crime rates and the overall detrimental impact on society necessitate preventive measures as the most effective strategy to counter this problem.
Dr. Sachin Parab, a resource person from the Brahma Kumaris medical wing, shed light on the different types of addiction, including substance use disorders and behavioral addiction. He emphasized the five stages of addiction, ranging from initial use to full-blown addiction, and highlighted the need for vigilance and awareness to combat this growing menace.
Dr. Sachin further cautioned that India, being the youngest country with a significant youth population, has become a target for neighboring countries seeking to impede its progress. He warned that the supply of drugs from these countries aims to damage the creative, constructive, and energetic potential of Indian youths. Dr. Sachin urged the public to remain vigilant and united to protect the nation’s future from this harmful element.
The ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ (NMBA) is a flagship program initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Initially launched in 272 vulnerable districts across 32 states and union territories, it now covers 372 districts nationwide. The campaign aims to raise awareness about substance abuse, particularly among the youth, by focusing on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools, and community engagement.
Recognizing the strength of the nationwide network of the Brahma Kumaris organization in creating awareness and facilitating de-addiction efforts, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Medical Wing of Brahma Kumaris and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on March 4th, 2023, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. This partnership aims to enhance the impact of the campaign and reach a wider segment of society.
The ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ launch at Tinsukia also saw participation from people residing in the Namsai and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh. With the collective efforts of the government, organizations, and the public, it is hoped that the campaign will contribute significantly to making Assam and the entire nation free
