Why Drug Awareness Must Become Part of Education: PM Modi Launches 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat' Campaign

As India works towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the conversation around education is expanding beyond classrooms and examinations. In addition to academic achievement and employability, it is now recognised by experts that students' physical and mental health are important. To reinforce this message, PM Modi launched the nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' which has urged educational institutions to be at the forefront to create a new generation of drug-free India.

Speaking at a video conference across the country, attended by over 1 crore youth from over 28,000 locations across the country, the Prime Minister said that 'India's developmental aspirations can only be realised if India's youth remain healthy, confident and free from substance abuse'.

"Today, as the nation has set the goal of a Viksit Bharat, it is imperative that the country's youth remain physically and mentally fit, brimming with self-confidence, and permanently steer clear of destructive habits like drugs," the Prime Minister said.

Why educational institutions have a key role in play

A very powerful message of the campaign was targeted at colleges and universities. The Prime Minister called on professors and teachers to discuss drug abuse not just as an academic issue, but to make it a part of campus life.

He called for teachers to raise awareness about the dangers of addiction and to launch anti-drug campaigns in schools and to help students make informed decisions.

The Prime Minister said that educational institutions can play a significant role in shaping the minds of the young people in society and therefore must be partners in the fight against drug abuse in the country.

Preparing Indian students for life

The campaign highlights an important shift in the purpose of education. Universities today are increasingly expected to prepare students not only for employment but also for responsible and healthy living.

The Prime Minister said that the Indian youth is leading innovation in areas like startups, Artificial Intelligence, sports, space related research, etc. But drug abuse can jeopardize a career, affect focus and hinder personal and professional development.

He warned that while drugs might give a student a short-term reprieve, they can devastate a student's future, and cause emotional and financial strain on families.

A 100 week campaign with a youth theme

The ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan' is scheduled to be a 100-week long nationwide campaign. Sports, art, culture and yoga/meditation related activities will be held every Sunday to promote the involvement of the youths and good health.

The campaign has grown from a pilot initiated in Kashi and now is a national movement with the support of over 125 spiritual organisations as well as several non-governmental organisations under the umbrella of the Kashi Declaration.

Millions of youth have already taken the pledge, and will not use drugs and culture awareness in their schools, colleges and local communities.

There should be no stigma in recovery

The Prime Minister also emphasized that addiction cannot be called the end of a young person's life. He urged families to get medical help for a child or a young person who becomes addicted to drugs and alcohol, and to contact a professional counsellor, rather than ignore the problem due to social stigma.

"If a youth has mistakenly fallen into the trap of addiction, it absolutely does not mean that all doors are closed for them," he said.

 He also noted that yoga, meditation, rehabilitation centres or community support can be very important in assisting individuals to recover.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the families to have open communication with their children to be able to tackle the problems at an early stage.

There is a close relationship between education and awareness

The campaign highlights the increasing awareness of the importance of education being inextricably intertwined with the wellbeing of students. The understanding of mental health, addiction, emotional resilience and healthy lifestyle options are becoming a greater and greater portion of holistic education.

The campaign aims to help establish safer school and college campuses, and to educate students on making informed choices regarding their lives by having them actively involved in anti-drug awareness programmes.

This campaign puts education institutions on the map as not just a means to academic achievement but as a key player in creating a healthier, responsible and drug-free generation for India's long-term development goals.