Drug awareness campaigns in India

Educational institutions and government bodies in India have launched various initiatives under the ‘Drug-Free Youth for Developed India’ campaign to combat substance abuse among young people.

Early programs, organized through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Mera Yuva Bharat initiative, utilized ‘Pados Youth Parliament’ sessions. These events included slogan writing, video screenings, and formal pledges to remain drug-free. In some locations, medical experts and psychologists provided guidance on addiction prevention, treatment, and counseling, while incorporating yoga and street plays to educate students.

Subsequent efforts expanded to include the National Service Scheme (NSS) at various colleges. These programs shifted focus toward holistic wellness, addressing not only substance abuse but also the negative impacts of excessive mobile and gadget use on concentration and social behavior. To promote healthy alternatives, institutions integrated traditional sports, such as Kho-Kho and tug-of-war, to foster discipline, teamwork, and mental stress reduction.