Chief Minister Launches Statewide Campaign to Keep Youth Away from Drugs, Emphasises Mass Awareness and Strict Enforcement
WhatsApp chatbot and helpline launched to support the anti-drug campaign.
Awareness vehicles flagged off to spread the message of a drug-free Bihar across the state.
Chief Minister administers pledge against drug consumption, urges people to educate others and help curb illegal drug trafficking.
Special awareness drives, street plays, village meetings and panchayat-level programmes to be organised.
Patna, October 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday inaugurated the Nasha Mukt Bihar Abhiyan (Drug-Free Bihar Campaign) by lighting a ceremonial lamp at a programme organised by the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department at the Assembly building. The campaign will run across the state from October 27 to November 26, 2026.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched a WhatsApp chatbot and a helpline to support the campaign. He also flagged off awareness vehicles that will travel across various districts of Bihar over the next month, using audio-visual presentations to educate people about the harmful consequences of drug consumption and the benefits of a drug-free life.
Choudhary administered a pledge to participants attending the programme and officials and members of the public connected through video conferencing. They pledged not to consume intoxicating substances, to encourage others to stay away from drugs, to help prevent illegal drug trafficking and to actively contribute towards making Bihar drug-free.
The Chief Minister also inspected stalls set up by the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department, Jeevika and Brahma Kumaris. A short film highlighting public awareness initiatives against drug abuse and action taken against the illegal liquor trade was screened during the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Choudhary described the launch as an important day for Bihar. He said the campaign would be implemented on a large scale through public participation and would contribute towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's goal of making the country drug-free by 2029.
Building on Bihar's Prohibition Policy
The Chief Minister recalled that in 2016, the then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had taken the significant decision to introduce prohibition in Bihar in the public interest. At that time, the state's budget was approximately ₹50,000 crore to ₹55,000 crore. Despite concerns over revenue, the government had prioritised public welfare, he said.
Congratulating Nitish Kumar for the decision, Choudhary said that while prohibition must continue to be enforced effectively, a comprehensive campaign against all forms of narcotic substances was now equally necessary.
He emphasised that a healthy, bright and drug-free Bihar could be built only through sustained and effective implementation of the campaign. He called for the active participation of approximately 1.81 crore Jeevika women members, students, women associated with Brahma Kumaris and all sections of society.
He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initiated cooperation with Brahma Kumaris to help make the country drug-free, adding that similar collaborative efforts had been established in Bihar. The campaign's targets would need to be expanded to ensure its success, he said.
Awareness Drives Across Urban and Rural Areas
The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct extensive awareness campaigns in urban areas and organise street plays, village meetings and panchayat-level programmes in rural areas.
He said protecting young people from drug abuse was essential for the state's future, warning that addiction could destroy the prospects of even talented students. He called for greater youth participation in the campaign so that the next generation could contribute to building a strong, healthy and prosperous Bihar.
Choudhary stressed that, alongside enforcing prohibition, strict action was required against narcotic substances.
Citing official seizure figures, he said Bihar seized 282 kg of charas in 2024, with the quantity increasing to 400 kg in 2025. Heroin seizures rose from 42 kg in 2024 to 65 kg in 2025. Seizures of opium amounted to 77 kg in 2025.
He said these figures highlighted the seriousness of the challenge and the need to effectively curb the supply of narcotics and illegal trafficking. Special drives should be conducted in districts witnessing a rise in drug abuse, he added.
Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
The Chief Minister directed police and prohibition department officials to take stringent action against drug smugglers and those involved in the illegal trade. He said officials must act promptly to dismantle criminal networks and use modern technology wherever necessary.
He noted that the number of cases registered against illegal narcotics trafficking in Bihar had increased more than twentyfold, with approximately 1,700 cases registered. Special courts had been established in several districts to expedite the disposal of these cases.
Choudhary expressed confidence that strict enforcement, effective monitoring and public participation would help achieve the objective of a drug-free Bihar.
Student Grievances and Public Participation
The Chief Minister also said that 1,755 applications had been received so far through student assistance camps, of which 1,650 had been disposed of.
Students who had not received justice or were dissatisfied with an order could submit applications at state-level assistance camps, he said. Ensuring justice for students was essential for Bihar to advance along the path of development and progress.
Reiterating his appeal, Choudhary said the Nasha Mukt Bihar Abhiyan must reach every village and every household. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their guidance and commitment to the vision of a drug-free India and a drug-free Bihar.
He urged government officials, social organisations, Jeevika women members, students and ordinary citizens to participate actively in making the campaign successful.
Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Prohibition, Excise and Registration Minister Madan Sahni, Higher Education Minister Sanjay Singh Tiger, and Sanjay Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department and Secretary to the Chief Minister, also addressed the programme.
Those present included Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Director General of Police Peeyush Anand? Wait need accuracy: source says Smt. Preeta Verma, Additional Director General of Police of the Prohibition Department Ratna Sanjay, Information and Public Relations Secretary Naveen Kumar, Jeevika Chief Executive Officer Himanshu Sharma, Excise Commissioner Divya Shakti, Inspector General of Registration Krishna Chandra Gupta, Brahma Kumaris' Rajyogini Sangeeta Devi, District Magistrate Kundan Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikey K. Sharma, along with other senior officials, representatives of Brahma Kumaris, Jeevika women members and students. District magistrates and members of the public from various districts also participated through video conferencing.
