NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Union government has launched a nationwide capacity-building programme to train 10,000 healthcare professionals in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders by 2029, as part of its broader effort to strengthen addiction treatment services and achieve a drug-free India.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched the initiative on Monday under the Vision Document on Narcotic Control 2026–2029. The programme will cover addiction involving alcohol, opioids and other substances, with an emphasis on developing the skills of medical professionals and allied healthcare workers who support people affected by substance dependence.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the healthcare response to addiction by improving access to trained personnel and promoting evidence-based treatment. Officials have stressed that tackling substance abuse requires coordination between healthcare providers, social welfare departments and law enforcement agencies, rather than relying solely on measures aimed at controlling the supply of illegal drugs.
According to details reported by The Times of India on Tuesday, the government has divided the training target into three phases. It plans to train 2,000 professionals during the current financial year, followed by 3,000 in 2027–28 and another 5,000 in 2028–29. This phased approach is intended to expand the pool of trained personnel over the next three years.
The programme will be implemented through six central government institutions working under the Drug De-addiction Programme. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi will serve as the coordinating centre.
The other participating institutions are the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi and AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
These institutions will contribute clinical expertise and training facilities to develop the capabilities of healthcare professionals across states and Union territories. The arrangement is expected to support the delivery of specialised instruction while making use of existing medical and educational infrastructure.
The training model will combine live online classes, self-paced learning and in-person programmes. Doctors and medical officers will undertake a 12-week online course featuring lectures and discussions of clinical cases. Other healthcare personnel, including nurses, community health officers, auxiliary nurse midwives, counsellors and psychologists, will receive specialised learning modules suited to their professional responsibilities.
The curriculum will address substance use involving alcohol, cannabis, opioids, sleeping tablets and inhalants. It will also cover addiction-related issues affecting vulnerable groups, including women and adolescents.
The inclusion of different professional categories reflects the range of services needed to respond to substance use disorders. Doctors and medical officers may be responsible for clinical assessment and treatment decisions, while nurses and community health workers can help identify warning signs, provide follow-up support and connect patients with appropriate services. Counsellors and psychologists can contribute to assessment, behavioural interventions and ongoing recovery support.
The programme had already received more than 800 nominations for online and offline training through the Health Ministry and the National Health Mission, according to the report. In addition, around 150 personnel working at de-addiction centres supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment were expected to receive in-person training over the following two months.
The initiative also includes an updated clinical reference for physicians. At the launch, Nadda released the second edition of the Substance Use Disorder: Manual for Physicians (Management of Addictive Disorders). First published in 2005, the revised manual incorporates developments in the understanding and treatment of addiction and is intended to assist doctors working in both specialised de-addiction facilities and general healthcare settings.
The updated publication is significant because people experiencing substance-related problems may first seek help from general hospitals, primary healthcare centres or other medical services rather than specialist treatment facilities. Equipping clinicians with relevant guidance can help them recognise possible substance use disorders and determine when further assessment or specialised care is needed.
Substance dependence can affect physical health, psychological well-being, family relationships, employment and social participation. Treatment needs vary according to the substance involved, the severity of dependence, the person’s health and the availability of support. Some patients may require medically supervised withdrawal management, while others need longer-term clinical follow-up, counselling and support to prevent a return to harmful substance use.
A stronger workforce could help healthcare facilities respond more effectively to these different needs. However, the impact of the programme will depend not only on the number of professionals trained but also on whether they have the resources, referral pathways and institutional support required to apply their skills.
Nadda said fragmented efforts among government departments had created gaps in coordination and service delivery. He underlined the importance of clearly defined responsibilities, sustained cooperation between ministries and collective accountability in implementing the national narcotic control strategy.
The minister also called for stronger de-addiction centres supported by adequate training, institutional backing and resources. Such support is essential because training alone may not resolve barriers faced by facilities that lack qualified staff, suitable treatment infrastructure or reliable access to specialist services.
The programme forms part of a wider strategy outlined in the Vision Document on Narcotic Control 2026–2029, unveiled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June. Alongside enforcement against drug trafficking, the strategy assigns the Health Ministry a role in expanding access to evidence-based addiction treatment by strengthening the capabilities of medical and allied healthcare personnel.
This approach recognises that substance abuse has both public safety and public health dimensions. Enforcement measures can target trafficking and the illegal supply of drugs, while healthcare services can address dependence, associated health complications and the needs of people seeking recovery.
For the programme to achieve its intended objectives, coordination between these areas will be important. Patients must be able to access appropriate care without unnecessary delays, and healthcare workers need clear procedures for assessment, treatment, referral and follow-up. Services must also be accessible to people living outside major urban centres, where specialist facilities and trained personnel may be less readily available.
Training community-based healthcare workers may be particularly useful in identifying people who need help before their problems become more severe. Primary care professionals can play an important role in recognising health concerns associated with substance use, explaining available treatment options and referring patients to specialist services when necessary.
The focus on women and adolescents in the curriculum also highlights the need to consider differences in risk, circumstances and access to care. Healthcare services must be equipped to respond appropriately to the needs of different age groups and social backgrounds while maintaining confidentiality and protecting patients from discrimination.
Reducing stigma is another important consideration in addiction treatment. People affected by substance dependence may delay seeking help because they fear social judgement or punishment. A healthcare-led response that combines clinical assessment with appropriate support can help encourage earlier engagement with treatment.
The revised physician manual and the training programme could provide professionals with a common foundation for understanding and managing substance use disorders. Nevertheless, long-term improvements will require continued professional development, monitoring of treatment quality and cooperation between institutions delivering services.
The phased targets provide a measurable framework for expanding the trained workforce. The first-year goal of 2,000 professionals will establish the initial scale of implementation, while the larger targets in the following two financial years will require sustained participation from the six designated institutions and the wider healthcare system.
The government has yet to demonstrate the programme’s eventual impact on treatment access and patient outcomes. Its progress will need to be assessed through implementation data, the availability of trained staff, the quality of services and the extent to which people affected by addiction can obtain appropriate care.
The launch marks a move to strengthen the treatment side of India’s narcotic control strategy. By combining professional education, updated clinical guidance and institutional coordination, the government aims to build a healthcare workforce better equipped to respond to substance use disorders by 2029.