Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday launched a capacity-building programme for medical and allied healthcare professionals working in drug de-addiction services, with the aim of improving the prevention, identification, treatment and management of substance use disorders across India.
The programme was launched at Kartavya Bhawan-1 in New Delhi in the presence of senior officials from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Home Affairs.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the initiative aims to train 10,000 service providers by 2028–29 under the Vision Document on Narcotic Control for 2026–2029.
The training programme will use online and offline learning methods and is designed for doctors, medical officers, nurses, counsellors and other professionals involved in addiction treatment and rehabilitation. It will follow a phased approach, involving regional and national institutions before expanding capacity-building activities across states and Union Territories.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda stressed the need for coordinated action among healthcare providers, social welfare agencies and law enforcement authorities. He said fragmented efforts among departments can create gaps in service delivery and that sustained cooperation is necessary to address substance use disorders effectively.
The initiative also focuses on strengthening de-addiction centres and improving the availability of evidence-based treatment services. Officials highlighted the importance of combining treatment and rehabilitation with prevention, awareness and action against drug trafficking.
The programme forms part of the government’s broader objective of achieving a drug-free India by 2029. Its implementation will depend on effective coordination among ministries, institutions and service providers.
By improving professional training and strengthening treatment facilities, the initiative seeks to build a more coordinated response to substance use disorders and expand access to appropriate care for people affected by addiction.
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