India, Nov. 19 -- The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), or "Drug-Free India Campaign", a flagship national campaign launched by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment on August 15 to combat the growing problem of substance abuse across the country completed five years with a grand national celebration at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Speaking on the occasion, Union minister for social justice and empowerment Virendra Kumar said more than 23.74 crore persons have been sensitised, including 8.09 crore youth and 5.49 crore women under the campaign in the last five years. Besides, he said, the campaign saw participation of more than 17 lakh educational institutions. There has been a 427% increase in persons seeking de-a...