Amma and her children joined Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign. The youth-led movement encourages every citizen to make a pledge for a healthier, drug-free India, thus working collectively to become a developed nation.
More than 1 crore (10 million) youth connected from 28,000 locations across the country, alongside revered saints; Chief Ministers and Governors; and other community leaders.
“The country needs your energy, your imagination, and your talent, so staying drug-free is crucial for the country and for your own lives,” said Prime Minister Modi in his address.
“Today, the government stands firmly with the youth against drugs. Strict action is being taken against drug traffickers, with record arrests and seizures. Both the Central and State governments are working in mission mode.”
Amma’s participation is led by AYUDH, the Ashram’s youth wing, and includes Amrita University’s 10 campuses, 86 Amrita Vidyalayam schools throughout the country, and the more than 2800 villages reached by Amma’s humanitarian initiatives across India.
“Today, as values continue to decline, the growing use of intoxicants among youth and children is something we must fear even more than war. Unknown to their parents and siblings, children are destroying themselves,” said Amma in her message.
“Yet at the same time, there are young people who are choosing to remain free from substance abuse and share that message with others. May you become role models for others so they do not fall into the trap of addiction.”
2012: Amma’s Mission to Fight Substance Abuse Begins
The Government of India’s action is a reflection of initiatives Amma started in 2012 to tackle addiction to drugs and alcohol. With many coming to her in tears, Amma listened to story after story shared by addicts, their families, and their friends.
With their experiences leaving a deep mark in Amma’s heart, her initiatives have already reached more than 337,000 people. Through the courage and dedication of tens of thousands of volunteers, countless others remain free of substance abuse.
Amrita Awareness Ambassadors across Rural India – Amrita University
The Amrita Awareness Ambassadors (AAA) Program works through schools to empower adolescents to educate their peers and communities on substance abuse prevention, human trafficking, healthy lifestyles, and mobile and internet safety.
AAA is led by Amrita University’s Centre for Research in Analytics, Technologies and Education (CREATE). They began in 2014 in remote tribal communities across the country where substance abuse and human trafficking are severe challenges.
CREATE then expanded AAA to the Ashram’s Amrita Vidyalayam schools. Through peer mentoring and positive role modelling, the boys and girls become responsible community leaders.
Impact as of 2026:
- 1,129 villages
- 18 states
- 50,000+ youth reached
Vimukthi – Amrita Hospital, Kochi
In 2014 as well, Amrita Hospital, Kochi launched a school-based preventive education and health-awareness programme with the same student ambassador model. Through the voices of youth, the knowledge they share is more powerful than lectures from elders.
The young leaders have reached government schools across the state. They emphasise early awareness, youth participation, counseling, and community-based prevention. Leading by example, they inspire lasting change among their peers.
Impact as of 2026:
- 286 schools across Kerala
- 286,000 students
Life Enrichment Education – Centre for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality
In her initiatives to empower women across rural India, Amma makes sure to go well beyond skills training to earn a living. Amrita University’s Centre for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality (CWEGE) focuses on crucial issues so women can lead lives with confidence and courage.
Alongside many subjects, the Life Enrichment Education (LEE) courses began in 2012 to address the severe impact of alcoholism and drug abuse on rural families, household debt, and domestic violence. In most of the cases, it is the husbands who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and the wives who struggle to protect their children and themselves.
Impact as of 2026:
- 1,030 women
- 28 villages
- 7 states
Amma’s Message for a Drug-Free India
A Mother’s Heart Full of Worry
“We have to remember how a mother constantly thinks about her child, right from the moment she learns she is pregnant. After the child is born, she prays for the child. Once the child starts to walk, starts to talk, she is imagining and dreaming about a better life for her baby.
As children grow up, parents worry about whether they are studying at a good school and how their friends are influencing them. Once the children begin college, their parents have a deep concern about whether they will study well or if they will end up in bad company and create problems in the college. This is how intently worried parents are about the future of their children.”
Selfishness is a Virus
“When we fall into bad company, we forget humankind’s essential values of love, compassion and selflessness. Because of that, we forget our responsibilities towards our parents. We even forget our responsibility for our own wellbeing. Some youth fall into such desperation that they end up contributing to the destruction of the nation.
This selfishness is the root cause of all the problems our world is facing. It’s like a virus whose infection is spreading in the form of global catastrophes such as wars, poverty, environmental disasters, and political conflicts.
Initially, when we become sick with a viral flu, there are no symptoms. As the virus rapidly multiplies, we begin to feel ill, alongside spreading the infection to those around us. Similarly, the virus of selfishness first dries out the stream of compassion within our hearts. The actions that follow then begin to infect our minds as well as those around us.”
A Warning to the Youth
“A teacher who lives in the Ashram reported to Amma that children as young as 4th-standard are exposed to alcohol and drugs. This is the shocking and abhorrent level substance abuse and addiction have reached in our country.
Yet at the same time, there are young people who are choosing to remain free from substance abuse and share that message with others. May you become role models for others so they do not fall into the trap of addiction.
Amma gives an urgent warning to the university students as well. Consider your parents. They sent you for higher studies to give you the foundation for a better life, and now they wait anxiously, holding their breath for your success. Amma wishes for you to make sure that your parents do not grieve. Even if you cannot give them joy, you should not cause them sorrow.”
A Threat to Our Nation
“By consuming alcohol, drugs, and other intoxicants, we become Jarasandhas—a mind that regenerates its own affliction no matter how many times it’s cut down. Our youth are like small buds; they have the capacity to blossom and give fragrance and beauty to all around. But before blooming, many become infested by the worms of addiction. Young people must take the initiative to reflect upon the gravity of today’s situation.
The world today and the generations to come should not approach substance abuse and addiction in a complacent way. This is no longer merely a superficial issue; it has penetrated deep within our nation’s foundation.
If a tree’s roots are afflicted by a debilitating disease, the tree cannot be saved. This is precisely the condition into which drug abuse drags our children. In that state, they forget the value of life, the value of relationships, and their duty towards their parents. They become willing to do anything for the sake of intoxication. This brings ruin not only to them but also to society, and poses a grave threat to the nation as well.”
Arise from Within
“You need to ask yourself this question: Who am I? Why am I here? We need to awaken to the eternal truth within. Unfortunately, we have befriended a fool, and a fool will always fool you. So remind your mind: ‘Oh mind, don’t become a fool, don’t make me a fool too.’ Keep repeating this mantra.
Amma says that we are not a candle to be lit by somebody; we are a self-effulgent sun. Self-luminous. That is our true nature. Without this understanding, we live in fear, always grabbing from nature, taking from others without giving in return, and destroying all that is around us. That is not the way to live. We should feel gratitude towards others and awaken to our true state of being, our inherent nature of love.
Maybe 1000 people are listening to this message. If 10 people are inspired to change by attending this program, that itself is a way forward. It’s like finding a beautiful blossoming tree in the midst of a desert. That itself is exquisite beauty.
The seed of Dharma has to be planted within your heart, allowed to sprout into a plant, and then continue to grow into a tree. It is up to us to take responsibility for our own wellbeing, and thus contribute to uplifting those around us.
May Amma’s children become role models for others.”
