Network for Peer led Drug and Alcohol Prevention

At Jeewandhara , we often say that recovery is not a destination—it is a journey walked together. And sometimes, the strongest guides on this journey are those who have walked the hardest paths themselves. This is the story of Karamveer —a Karamveer in the truest sense , a doer, a survivor, and today, a quiet pillar of strength for others. 🌿 From Pain to Purpose Karamveer’s journey began decades ago, not in comfort, but in struggle. As a young man navigating addiction, he found his way to Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation , where recovery was not just about abstinence—but about rebuilding life, identity, and dignity. Under the mentorship of Suneel Vatsyayan , Karamveer didn’t just recover—he transformed. What he found there was something deeper: A community that believed in him A model rooted in empathy, not judgement And a new role—as someone who could help others heal 🤝 The Power of Peer-Led Healing Long before “peer-led models” became a recognized approach, Kara...

  Reflecting on Navjyoti’ s impactful journey and the legacy of its UNODC project, I’m inspired by how it brought together experts and communities to create transformative change. Yesterday, with Anuj and over 120 participants, I revisited these milestones, realizing their relevance today—especially as Nada India continues this mission, addressing how #TB and #NCDs disproportionately impact drug users. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how peer-led initiatives like these can be a learning opportunity for psychiatric social workers and public health professionals. Let’s also shine a light on the vital role of peer counselors in bridging service gaps and creating sustainable solutions. Your insights mean a lot to me. Join the conversation! Let’s explore how these stories can inform and inspire our collective work for healthier communities.  vsuneel@gmail.com 

Prof. T K Thomas*     “ The odds of psychotic disorder among daily cannabis users were 3.2 times higher than for never users, whereas the odds among users of high-potency cannabis were 1.6 times higher than never users .” I had interactions with a large number of patients and recovering drug addicts during my association with one of the leading drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers in Delhi. All of them were addicted to various substances and were multi drug users including alcohol, a legal drug in our country which actually is a depressant. While documenting their stories I found that in an overwhelming majority of cases their initiation into drugs started with what we call Ganja/ ‘Charas’ or marijuana, which at least a few experts consider as a “gateway” to addiction to more potent drugs. These substances known by different names have mood altering properties. Most of them tried or experimented with these drugs, deriv...

International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit trafficking   'theme "Health for Justice, Justice for Health"   was observed on 25th June 2019 by Vikalp (CCAA Trust)  a member  of Young India Network for Good health along with ten other peer led NGOs at Gaziabad Railway Station ( U.P),namely,  Pray for all, New Serve Nissan,JM Baksh Foundation,servhit Foundation,AACA Trust,Jeevan Uday Nasha Mukti Kendra,Aarti Foundations,Vijeta Seva Sansthan, A Real Life Foundation. These patient champions and peer led NGOs have been running Drug Rehabilitation centers in Sahibabad and Gaziabad area. Nada India and Young India Network for Good Health have been organizing   Non Communicable Disease prevention program and giving peer educators and counselors training in behavioral change counselling for the prevention of NCDs and its risk factors among drug using population. Mr.Abhilash T.Issac convener of Young India Network informed that Network has invol...

Mobilising communities with the help of recovering peer educators and women for drug abuse prevention….. case study by Suneel vatsyayan presented at UNODC function in Delhi 23 rd  June 1997 It is interesting that theme for that year`s  International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking ,that is 26 th of June, 1997 is community mobilization for drug prevention ,at time Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation when Navjyoti was involved in major community mobilization programmes. In this context, what happened on 21 st march ,97 at village Bakkerwla in west Delhi ,is significant. Two recovering addicts from this village Dayanand and Karamveer ,celebrated their recovering birthdays at a public function ,under auspices of Navjyoti gratitude club  .the gratitude club was started by recovering addicts of Navjyoti Delhi Police Foundation. It is their own efforts after having been freed  from deadly clutches of drug addiction, these courageous feel solemn responsibi...

Suneel Vatsyayan conducted a personalized mentor cum training program for Dr.Roslee Ahmed  Lecturer Counseling, University Teknologi Malaysia, has successfully participated in mentorship cum training program (19 th .20 th & 21 st July 2011) on drug addiction & sexual behaviour. The purposes of this program is giving theory and practical using the counseling approaches in handling client facing  challenges like drug addiction and its related issues  sexual behavior, relapse ,rehabilitation etc..  Dr.Roslee Ahmed also visited Peer led Nai Kiran De-addiction center Narela. Mr.Vatsyayan is a consultant and trainer to Bharat Bhushan  and Naikiran Society. Bharat Bhushan Nai Kiran ,Suneel Vatsyayan and  Dr.Roslee (from left to right) 

Over 25 peer led de-addiction centres spread over the length and breadth of Haryana met in Rohtak on Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 and resovled to work toghther to improve treatment and long term recovery of people affected by drug and alcohol addiction. The Haryana NGO Network for Peer Led Drug & Alcohol Prevention has 43 members. Peer Led initiatives are popular all over the world in addressing problems like addiction. The fundamental concept behind it is that the management of rehabilitation of addicts is done by recovering drug & alcohol addicts.It has been accepted by various countries and international agencies that the effectiveness of counseling by peers or those who have gone through the similar regiours and pain of addiction to better suited to change other addicts. Mr.Satyamohan of Nai Disha was elected as President and Mr.Bharat Bhushan of NaiKiran De-addiction center as founding member & General Secretary of the Network. Network meeting further resolved to work t...