Maharashtra has set an ambitious target of completely eliminating the menace of narcotic drugs from the state by 2029, with the state Cabinet approving a comprehensive policy based on a “whole-of-government approach” to strengthen the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Two-Pronged Strategy Planned
The policy was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It envisages a two-pronged strategy of extensive public awareness and stringent enforcement against the production, transportation, sale and consumption of narcotic substances. The government said Maharashtra would be the first state in the country to implement such a comprehensive campaign involving multiple departments from the village level to the state Secretariat.
The policy has been formulated in line with the Centre’s objective of making the country free of narcotic drugs by 2029 through coordinated action by various Central and state government agencies. Maharashtra will coordinate its efforts with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with each government department required to appoint an officer of Deputy Secretary rank as its nodal officer at the Mantralaya level.
Drug Awareness Lessons In Schools
A detailed action plan has been prepared for various departments. From the academic year 2027, schools will include at least one lesson on drug awareness from Class V onwards. Additional marks will also be awarded to schools undertaking anti-drug awareness activities under the third phase of the 'Chief Minister’s Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala' initiative.
The Higher and Technical Education Department will work towards ensuring that all educational institutions maintain drug-free campuses. Anti-drug initiatives will also be incorporated into the Chief Minister’s Samruddha Panchayatraj Abhiyan and Majha Gaon, Arogya Sampanna Gaon campaigns, with additional marks being awarded for effective implementation.
Annual Award For Drug-Free Districts
The state will also announce an annual award on June 26 for the best-performing “Drug-Free District”. The performance of districts will be assessed based on their work between October 2 and April 30 every year.
The policy rests on four key pillars — effective enforcement of narcotics control, significant reduction in the supply of drugs, reduction in demand, and de-addiction, treatment and rehabilitation.
Departments Assigned Specific Roles
The Home, Transport, Ports, and Law and Judiciary departments will be responsible for strengthening enforcement. The Revenue, Agriculture and Forest departments will take measures to prevent cultivation and activities contributing to the supply of illegal narcotics. The Food and Drug Administration and Industries departments will act against the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs.
To reduce demand, responsibilities have been assigned to the School Education, Higher and Technical Education, Sports, Rural Development, Public Health, Women and Child Development, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Information and Public Relations departments.
Meanwhile, the Social Justice and Special Assistance, Public Health, Medical Education, Urban Development and Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation departments will jointly focus on de-addiction, treatment and rehabilitation of affected persons.
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