Syllabus: GS III & V– Internal Security; GS V – Assam

Why in the News?

Lok Bhavan, Assam, is launching a “Padayatra for a Nasha Mukt Assam” from September 17 to October 2, 2026, covering 10 districts through public programmes and awareness campaigns. The initiative places Assam’s youth at the centre of the fight against drug abuse, combining enforcement with prevention, rehabilitation and community participation.

Why is drug abuse a major concern for Assam?

Drug abuse is not only a law-and-order issue. It affects health, education, employment, families and the productive potential of young people. For Assam, the challenge is particularly important because of its geographical position in the Northeast and its connectivity with neighbouring States and international routes.

Assam Police registered 3,361 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2025, leading to 4,754 arrests. By June 30, 2026, another 1,738 cases and 2,593 arrests had been recorded. During 2025–26, 24 successful operations were conducted against transnational and interstate drug networks.

However, seizures and arrests address only the supply side. A sustainable drug-free Assam also requires reducing the demand for narcotic substances through awareness, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.

Assam’s two-pronged strategy

The emerging approach can be understood through a demand–supply matrix:

• Supply reduction requires stronger surveillance, intelligence sharing, action against trafficking networks, interstate coordination and systematic disposal of seized narcotic substances.
• Demand reduction requires preventing young people from beginning substance use and providing timely counselling, treatment and rehabilitation to those already affected.
• Community participation is essential because parents, teachers, peers and local organisations often identify warning signs before formal agencies do.
• Youth engagement through sports, education, cultural activities and skill development can provide healthier alternatives and strengthen social resilience.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

The national Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched on 15 August 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was initially focused on 272 vulnerable districts and has since been extended across the country. It operates as a major demand-reduction campaign under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction. Its approach combines prevention, awareness, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, aftercare and social reintegration.

The campaign places particular emphasis on schools, colleges, universities and young people, while encouraging community volunteers known as Nasha Mukti Mitras. The national de-addiction helpline 14446 provides counselling and referral support.

Assam’s prevention and rehabilitation network

Assam’s outreach under the campaign has reportedly reached more than 13.73 lakh students and young people, while over 1.93 lakh people have taken the Nasha Mukt pledge and 13,028 Nasha Mukti Mitras have registered.

The State’s response also includes de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, district de-addiction centres and treatment facilities. This is important because addiction should be approached not merely as a criminal problem but also as a public health and social rehabilitation challenge.

The humane approach is simple: stop trafficking, prevent initiation, treat dependence and help recovered persons return to society without stigma.

What should Assam focus on?

• Intelligence-led enforcement should target organised trafficking networks and their financial and logistical infrastructure rather than focusing only on individual users.
• Border and interstate coordination should be strengthened because narcotics networks do not operate according to administrative boundaries.
• Schools and colleges should provide early awareness, counselling and safe spaces where young people can seek help without fear.
• Families and communities should be treated as the first line of prevention through open communication and early identification of risky behaviour.
• Treatment and rehabilitation should be expanded so that people struggling with substance dependence receive professional care and opportunities for social reintegration.
• Sports, skill development and employment opportunities can help provide young people with purpose, belonging and constructive avenues for their energy.
• Evidence-based behavioural change communication should replace fear-based messaging with credible information about the health and social consequences of substance abuse.

Exam Hook

Key Takeaway: A genuinely Nasha Mukt Assam requires a whole-of-society approach in which enforcement cuts the supply chain, while prevention, treatment and rehabilitation address the demand side.

Mains: Drug abuse is both an internal-security and social-development challenge for Assam. Discuss the importance of integrating supply reduction with demand reduction.

One-line Wrap: A drug-free Assam will be built not by enforcement alone, but by combining strong institutions with informed families, supportive communities and empowered youth.