Network for Peer led Drug and Alcohol Prevention

Why Recovery Requires More Than Punishment “Wives ,sisters and mothers do not always seek punishment; often, they seek treatment because they fear losing someone they love to addiction.” The recent remarks by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, where he shared that families had asked authorities to arrest their own children to save them from drugs, reveal the depth of helplessness many families are experiencing today. Indian Express Report At first glance, such statements may appear harsh. But beneath them lies a painful reality: many families are not demanding punishment — they are desperately searching for intervention before addiction destroys another life. Addiction Is Not Only a Law-and-Order Issue Over the years, while working in addiction recovery, behavioral health, and rehabilitation settings, one observation repeatedly emerges: Addiction rarely affects only the individual. It affects: families, relationships, neighborhoods,...

Nada India highlights the ARPAN Project’s peer-led approach to addiction recovery, focusing on dignity, lived experience, and community care. The blog urges a shift from punitive inspections to collaborative learning, where peer educators and recovering individuals play a transformative role in building humane, evidence-based treatment systems. The journey of peer-led rehabilitation in India has taken a long road—from closed-door centers to heart-driven, community-owned healing spaces. At the core of this change lies ARPAN , a Nada India-supported initiative that champions peer-led drug rehabilitation centers guided by lived experience, compassion, and evidence-based practices. One of the biggest milestones in this journey has been the shift in how monitoring and inspections are conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and its supporting units like the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD). 🌱 From Closed Doors to...

It has been nearly eight years since the decision to enforce liquor prohibition in Bihar. According to some reports, this policy has resulted in a decline in domestic violence cases within the state. Additionally, millions of residents have benefited from avoiding obesity and associated health risks. However, the dark side of prohibition cannot be ignored. It has led to the rampant production and sale of counterfeit and spurious liquor. Cases of toxic liquor consumption have increased, leading to fatalities. Liquor smuggling incidents have also risen significantly. In Siwan, four individuals fell critically ill on Thursday after consuming toxic liquor. Tragically, one of them passed away, while another lost their eyesight. The remaining individuals are still under medical care. The Nitish Kumar government continues to face criticism for the unchecked availability of liquor in the state despite prohibition. The Patna High Court recently reprimanded the Bihar government and questioned ...

देश के बच्चों को बचाने के लिए, मैं अपना जान भी देने को तैयार हूँ। (I am ready to sacrifice my life to save the children of my country).  Sanjeebh NYIN Membe r  Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform lives, and today I find myself compelled to express my deepest appreciation. Emerging from the shadows of substance abuse, I owe my recovery to the unwavering support of my institute, dedicated teachers, and the transformative guidance of individuals like Manoj Sir, Ravis Sir, Sunil Sir, and others. This blog serves as a testament to my journey, filled with challenges, self-discovery, and the intervention of true messengers of hope. A Floating Situation: After completing a life-changing training program, I found myself adrift, battling OCD and seeking a purpose. It was then that fate intervened, and I encountered two remarkable individuals – Suneel Vastyavan  and Pallavi Maam.  Their guidance became the lighthouse that directed me towards a path of redemption. I...

Neha CWC member shared her son's aspirations to become Prime Minister to ban tobacco, shedding light on the need to strengthen tobacco control laws. Recommendations included raising the legal age for tobacco consumption to 21 and enforcing stricter regulations around educational facilities. Sumit Prakash   Chairperson , CWC, Purnia , Bihar Suneel& Sumit The recent training workshop in the  Nipccd Delhi  Conference Hall on the Role of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in addressing substance use among children in Bihar, organized by @NIPCCD_MWCD, witnessed a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences. The blog highlights key discussions and notable moments during the event. Diving into Current Initiatives: Led by Suneel Vatsyayan, a seasoned life coach and trainer, the Nada India Foundation workshop delved into the existing efforts undertaken by the CWC to address substance abuse among children. Participants shared both success stories and challenges encountered, underscor...

In the dynamic landscape of drug demand reduction and prevention, the emergence of practicing social workers as leaders has transitioned from a rarity to the new norm. This paradigm shift is not only reshaping policies but also contributing significantly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Late Dr. Hira Singh, a practicing social worker, exemplified this shift by leading the National Institute of Social Defence, a premier institution under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Ministry itself has been a pioneer in bringing social work practitioners to the forefront, culminating in the current leadership of NISD being a practicing social worker. Navjyoti ,Delhi Police Foundation for Correction, De- addiction & Rehabilitation   under the leadership of Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, showcased the potential of practicing social workers in the field of drug rehabilitation. His pioneering efforts introduced the Acudetox movement nationwide , bringing tog...

Showcasing the goodwill of Nada Young India Network under the mentorship of Nada India Foundation to create a healthier Tobaccofree India! The video celebrates the motivation of volunteers to be change makers, acting as catalysts promoting a healthier active lifestyle and supporting the government to reduce tobacco use among minors and adolescents ! #NadaIndiaFoundation #NYIN #youth4tobaccofreeindia #tobaccofreeindia

OPINION Prof. T K Thomas Jan 7, 2020   Is God’s Own Country shedding its favorite tagline? A series of edit page articles published by the mass circulated “Malayala Manorama” in the last week of December2019, hint at that. The articles, ”Bhaviye Vizsungararurthu Lahari Bhootham” which highlight how the demon of addiction can wreck young lives and the gravity of drug addiction among young students. The stories based on real life stories of children in drug treatment centers fallen victim to deadly addiction reveal how the state has a major mental health challenge at hand. The personal accounts highlighted in the first installment of the three part series are from children trapped by the demon of drugs who are children who sought help from the state excise department. They are undergoing treatment and counseling at the centers in the zonal offices of the department in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Started a year ago...

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...