‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ or drug-free India campaign 

‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ or drug-free India campaign 

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Govt schemes and policies; Welfare/Social issue

In news:

• 26th June – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched drug-free India campaign – ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’
• Annual anti-drug action plan (2020-21) would focus on 272 most affected districts and launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Dept.

Aim/Objectives:

• It will focus on institutional support and also on community outreach programmes in the districts identified by Narcotics Control Bureau.
• Change in the strategy against drugs – from institutional level to level of society.
• It will launch campaigns in schools and colleges to prevent drug abuse among youth.

Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs)

• It is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment 
• It provides composite/ integrated services for the rehabilitation of the substance dependent person.
• IRCA is responsible for preventive education and awareness generation which target groups (vulnerable and at risk groups) in their neighborhood. 
• IRCA envisages total recovery of the addicted person leading to his socio economic rehabilitation through an appropriate combination of individual counseling. 

According to 2020 World Drug Report released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) –

• Economic hardship caused by the pandemic may push people into making drugs for a living.
• Adverse impact of pandemic could lead to an increase in the number of people resorting to illicit activities.