Critically examine how the expanded scope of the National Drug Use Survey 2025–26 reflects a shift in India’s approach to substance use from moral regulation to evidence-based publ

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Critically examine how the expanded scope of the National Drug Use Survey 2025–26 reflects a shift in India’s approach to substance use from moral regulation to evidence-based public health governance.

Examine

  • 15 marks
  • 8 min
  • 150 words
  • Medium

The Hindu

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Introduction

India’s National Drug Use Survey (NDUS) 2025–26, with its expanded scope covering both licit and illicit substances, a broader age spectrum, and inclusion of regional and socio-economic differentials, marks a significant departure from the traditional approach of moral regulation—which focused on criminalisation and social stigma—towards evidence-based public health governance. This shift recognises substance use as a health, social, and developmental issue, necessitating data-driven policy interventions rather than purely punitive measures.

I. Shift from Moral Regulation to Public Health Governance

1. Traditional Approach

  • Earlier policies emphasised criminalisation, prohibition, and moral admonition (e.g., NDPS Act enforcement, awareness campaigns highlighting moral or social consequences).
  • Focus was on controlling supply and penalising use rather than understanding patterns, determinants, and health impacts.

2. Evidence-Based Approach

  • NDUS 2025–26 collects nationally representative, granular data on prevalence, frequency, and socio-demographic correlates of substance use.
  • Inclusion of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, opioids, cannabis, and emerging synthetic substances reflects a holistic understanding of substance-related harm.
  • Facilitates risk mapping, treatment planning, and harm reduction strategies, aligning with global public health frameworks.

II. Public Health Implications

1. Targeted Intervention Design

  • Data enables age-, gender-, and region-specific interventions, e.g., adolescent-focused prevention programs or rural opioid harm reduction.
  • Supports integrated treatment services, combining de-addiction, mental health, and social rehabilitation.

2. Resource Allocation and Program Monitoring

  • Evidence allows rational allocation of resources for treatment centres, counselling services, and awareness campaigns.
  • Enhances monitoring and evaluation of state-level programs like National Mental Health Programme and de-addiction initiatives.

3. Reduction of Stigma and Human Rights Focus

  • Recognises users as patients rather than criminals, promoting voluntary treatment and harm reduction approaches (needle exchange, opioid substitution therapy).
  • Supports alignment with UNODC and WHO recommendations on human rights–based substance governance.

III. Governance and Policy Significance

1. Data-Driven Policymaking

  • NDUS provides empirical basis for policy reforms, e.g., revising punitive provisions of the NDPS Act or scaling up rehabilitation infrastructure.
  • Informs inter-sectoral coordination between health, law enforcement, education, and social welfare.

2. Global and Regional Compliance

  • Facilitates India’s compliance with Sustainable Development Goal 3.5 (strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse) and reporting obligations under UN conventions on narcotics control.

3. Challenges in Implementation

  • Ensuring data quality and representative sampling across remote or conflict-prone regions.
  • Bridging the policy-practice gap: translating survey insights into functional rehabilitation and preventive services.
  • Coordinating multi-level governance across states with variable infrastructure and capacity.

IV. Way Forward

  1. Integration with Health Systems: Embed substance-use data into public health surveillance and primary care frameworks.
  2. Evidence-to-Policy Translation: Ensure timely dissemination to policymakers, local authorities, and NGOs for action planning.
  3. Capacity Building: Strengthen epidemiological, analytical, and programmatic skills at central and state levels.
  4. Public Awareness and Community Engagement: Complement data-driven governance with behaviour change communication to reduce stigma and encourage treatment.

Conclusion

The expanded scope of the NDUS 2025–26 signals a paradigm shift in India’s approach to substance use: from moralistic enforcement to evidence-based, public health-oriented governance. By providing granular, actionable data, it enables targeted interventions, rational resource allocation, and policy reforms, while promoting a rights-based, harm reduction framework. The challenge lies in translating survey findings into robust state-level programs, ensuring India’s substance-use governance becomes proactive, inclusive, and scientifically grounded.