Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday launched the month-long 'Nashamukt Bihar Abhiyan', a statewide drug-free campaign, at Adhiveshan Bhawan in Patna, flagging the rising use of non-alcoholic drugs among young people in eight districts, including Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur and Ara (Bhojpur).

Source: ANI via Indian Economic Observer

The campaign, organised by the Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department, will run across Bihar from October 27 to November 26. At the launch, the Chief Minister lit a lamp to mark the start of the drive, launched a WhatsApp chatbot and a helpline dedicated to drug de-addiction support, and flagged off awareness vehicles that will travel through districts for a month with audio-visual messages on the harms of drug abuse.

Source: The World Opinion

Choudhary directed officials to take strict action against those involved in the illegal trade of narcotic substances, and said the initiative must reach every village and every household through public awareness programmes, street plays in villages and community participation. He called for the involvement of students, the Jeevika self-help group network at the panchayat level and the Brahma Kumaris, congratulating the Brahma Kumari sisters for engaging approximately 15 lakh people in the cause, ANI reported.

Participants at the venue, along with district officials and citizens connected through video conferencing, took an oath pledging not to consume narcotic substances, to encourage others to stay away from them, to help stop the illegal drug trade and to contribute to making Bihar drug-free.

Seizure figures cited at the launch

According to figures cited by the Chief Minister and reported by Nation Press, seizures have risen sharply between 2024 and 2025 — charas from 282 kg to 400 kg, heroin from 42 kg to about 62-65 kg, and opium from 10 kg to 77 kg — which the government presented as evidence of an escalating problem that the campaign is meant to confront.

Source: Nation Press

Choudhary linked the drive to the national goal of making India drug-free by 2029, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and credited former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for implementing liquor prohibition in Bihar in 2016 without prioritising revenue concerns. He said that while the liquor ban must remain effective, a comprehensive campaign was now needed against all types of narcotic substances.