The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, a comprehensive framework aimed at prevention, awareness generation, capacity building, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. In a statement, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar said, the initiatives are aimed at preventing substance abuse through awareness, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.

He called for collective and coordinated action by the Centre, States, Union Territories, line ministries, civil society, and the public to tackle substance abuse. Dr Kumar said, the Ministry’s nationwide survey conducted in 2019 found that over seven crore people in the country were affected by substance use disorder, highlighting the need for greater awareness, empathy, and people-centric interventions.

Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Sudhansh Pant said, the Ministry has expanded its treatment and rehabilitation network to 768 de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across the country. He said, the number of people seeking treatment has increased by 294 per cent, from over 2 lakh 8 thousand in 2020 to more than 8 lakh 20 thousand in 2025, reflecting growing public confidence in these services.

Mr Pant said, the Ministry’s toll-free de-addiction helpline, 14446, has received over 4 lakh 69 thousand calls from individuals and families seeking assistance. He added that more than 1 crore 31 lakh people participated in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah held last month through awareness and community outreach programmes, reaffirming the nationwide commitment to a drug-free India.