As part of its continued efforts to curb addiction and promote healthy living among youth, the Directorate of Social Welfare organized an awareness programme on substance abuse at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) under the banner of the national campaign ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat, Khushaal Bharat’.
The session was attended by first-year students of the B.A. Political Science department and served as an educational platform to highlight the harmful effects of alcohol and drug use. The initiative aimed to build awareness about substance abuse, its social consequences, and the need for collective action in ensuring a drug-free community.
The event was led by the Project Assistant (NAPDDR), who coordinated with officials from the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), the Anti-Narcotics Unit (CID), and the Directorate of Health Services. The multi-agency collaboration reflected the government’s integrated approach to tackling substance abuse, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation.
Speakers at the programme outlined the objectives of both NAPDDR (National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction) and the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ (NMBA), explaining how these initiatives function at the grassroots level to reduce addiction and promote awareness. Students were briefed on the physiological, psychological, and social impacts of substance dependency, as well as the importance of peer influence in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The session underscored the critical role of educational institutions in spreading awareness among young people, who are often considered a vulnerable group when it comes to exposure to addictive substances. Officials emphasized that preventive education is as important as enforcement in combating drug abuse, and community participation remains the key to sustainable impact.
The discussion also focused on how inter-departmental coordination among health, police, and social welfare agencies can enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug campaigns. Through collaboration, the agencies aim to ensure that awareness efforts reach schools, colleges, and communities across the islands.
Students at the session engaged in interactive discussions, sharing their perspectives on peer pressure, mental health, and the social stigma associated with addiction. The event encouraged them to take up the role of “youth ambassadors” against substance abuse in their respective communities, reflecting the campaign’s focus on youth-driven change.
Officials from the Directorate highlighted that ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ is not only an awareness campaign but also a movement to strengthen community-based responses against addiction. Through sustained outreach, counseling initiatives, and local partnerships, the Directorate seeks to reduce both the supply and demand of illicit substances in the islands.
The awareness event at JNRM forms part of a broader series of educational sessions planned across schools and colleges under the Nasha Mukt Bharat, Khushaal Bharat campaign. Each event aims to empower students with knowledge and resources to make informed choices and contribute actively toward building an addiction-free society.
In recent years, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has strengthened its anti-drug efforts through a combination of enforcement, education, and rehabilitation. The growing involvement of academic institutions in awareness drives marks a proactive shift from punitive approaches to preventive ones.
By engaging directly with students, the Directorate of Social Welfare hopes to create a ripple effect that extends awareness beyond classrooms into families and neighborhoods. The initiative underscores that combating substance abuse requires not just government intervention but collective responsibility at all levels of society.
