LG Launches 100-Week Anti-Drug Youth Campaign, Announces Major Rehabilitation Drive in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the Union Territory-level launch of the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan”, a 100-week nationwide anti-drug campaign aimed at mobilising youth against substance abuse and promoting their active participation in nation-building.
The programme, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir, was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of a nationwide initiative to strengthen India's fight against drug abuse.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said India's greatest strength lies in its youthful population, noting that nearly 65 per cent of the country's citizens are below the age of 35, while around 37 crore people in the 15–29 age group are ready to contribute to national development.
He said the campaign seeks to inspire young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and play a constructive role in building a developed India.
Describing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in 2020, as a social movement rather than merely a government programme, Sinha said the initiative aims to instil discipline, positive thinking and determination among citizens while encouraging society to collectively combat the menace of drugs.
He said more than one crore youth are participating in the campaign at nearly 10,000 locations across the country, with over 35,000 MY Bharat youth clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, educational institutions and industry organisations joining the 100-week programme that will engage young people every Sunday.
The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the successful implementation of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, conducted from April 11 to July 20, describing it as a model for the rest of the country.
Highlighting the campaign's achievements, Sinha said around 2,300 FIRs have been registered, 2,600 persons arrested, and nearly 1,500 kilograms of narcotic substances seized. He added that 331 properties worth approximately Rs 200 crore belonging to narco-terrorists and drug traffickers have been attached. Besides, more than 370 driving licences and 750 vehicle registrations have been cancelled, while recommendations have been made for the cancellation of nearly 3,000 Aadhaar cards linked to offenders.
Announcing a major rehabilitation initiative, the Lieutenant Governor said the government will soon roll out the Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, with pilot projects in the two worst-affected districts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
He said the three-year programme will focus on medical treatment, counselling, education, skill development, employment support, social reintegration and long-term monitoring, emphasising that individuals affected by drug addiction should be treated as victims and given an opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity.
Calling for greater public participation, Sinha urged parents, teachers, youth organisations and volunteers of MY Bharat and Nehru Yuva Kendras to take the anti-drug message to every village, school, college and community.
He also appealed to young people to stay away from drugs, inspire their peers and contribute towards building a healthy, disciplined and responsible society.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor administered the Nasha Mukt Yuva Pledge to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by SKUAST-Kashmir Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Director, MY Bharat J&K Nitin Hangloo, senior government officials, members of youth clubs, Nehru Yuva Kendras, prominent citizens and a large number of youth.
