New Delhi: Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday called for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to tackle substance abuse, stressing the need for different ministries and departments to work in synergy towards clearly defined objectives.
He was speaking at the launch of a capacity-building training programme for medical and allied healthcare professionals engaged in drug de-addiction services, according to an official statement.
The programme was launched in hybrid mode in the presence of the secretary and senior officers from the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Home Affairs, it said.
Nadda reiterated the government’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to achieving the goal of a Nasha Mukt Bharat by 2029.
He observed that fragmented efforts and the departments working in silos had created gaps in coordination and service delivery, the statement said.
The Vision Document on Narcotic Control: 2026-2029, unveiled by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, represents a coordinated effort to address these gaps by defining the responsibilities and targets of various ministries and departments.
He stressed that effective implementation would require sustained inter-ministerial coordination and collective accountability, the statement said.
Highlighting the role of the health ministry, Nadda said strengthening treatment services and building the capacity of healthcare professionals and de-addiction centres are central to the ministry’s contribution to this national endeavour.
He also underscored the importance of supporting de-addiction facilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through appropriate training, institutional strengthening and adequate financial resources.
Nadda emphasised that tackling substance abuse must go beyond treatment to encompass prevention, enforcement and coordinated action against drug trafficking. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with law enforcement agencies, border-management authorities and other relevant stakeholders to address the challenge comprehensively.
He encouraged healthcare professionals and participating institutions to share practical suggestions, including those requiring inter-departmental coordination, to strengthen implementation and address emerging challenges.
Concluding his address, Nadda congratulated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the participating institutions on the initiative.
He expressed confidence that the capacity-building programme would strengthen the availability and quality of evidence-based treatment services and contribute to the collective national resolve of achieving a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
He also appreciated the team for developing a comprehensive capacity-building programme with a structured implementation plan, incorporating online and offline training for doctors, medical officers, nurses, counsellors and other healthcare professionals.
He welcomed the phased approach to training, which envisages collaboration among regional and national institutions, followed by the expansion of capacity-building activities across States and Union Territories.
Speaking on the occasion, Punya Salila Srivastava, secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising that as India works towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat, its youth must be physically healthy, mentally well, confident and free from the harmful effects of substance abuse.
She said protecting young people from the dangers of drugs is crucial to nurturing a healthy, empowered and productive generation that can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
Srivastava also stressed the importance of adopting a whole-of-government approach to tackling substance abuse, calling for coordinated efforts across ministries, departments and institutions to strengthen prevention, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation services.
