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.

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PocketIAS · Accepted Answer

The **expanded scope of NDUS 2025–26** signals a clear shift in India’s substance-use governance—from *moralistic control* to **evidence-driven public health policy**. Earlier approaches leaned on **social stigma, prohibition messaging, and law-order framing**, often without granular prevalence data. The new round adopts **epidemiological scale (~20 lakh sample)**, vulnerable-group focus, indigenous-use mapping, and feasibility pilots like wastewater testing, reflecting **scientific agenda-setting and harm-reduction targeting**.

Key features demonstrating this transition include:

* **Broader disease-burden mapping:** District and State-level SUD prevalence, enabling localised planning.
* **New focus groups:** **30 lakh minors (10–17 yrs) consume alcohol**; earlier surveys under-sampled prisons and campuses.
* **Cultural mapping:** First-time documentation of **ritualistic use (local alcohol, cannabis, opium)** to avoid policy misclassification.
* **Scheme evaluation:** Impact assessment of **Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)** for feedback-led reforms.
* **Tech pilots:** **Wastewater epidemiology feasibility** for community-level, non-intrusive surveillance.

**Examples:** Punjab scaling OOAT post opioid mapping; campus IEC expansion post COVID mental stress trends; contrast with States facing counsellor shortages showing capacity gaps affect outcomes.

By prioritising **measurement, institutional diagnosis (AIIMS NDDTC), and demand-side governance**, NDUS reflects India’s maturation toward **policy precision, equity in prevention, and scientific public health governance**.

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