Discuss how Article 47 is put into practice through India's drug demand reduction framework, and the challenges of coordination between the Centre and the States.

Article 47 directs the State to endeavour to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health [1]. India gives effect to this non-justiciable directive mainly through a welfare-led demand-reduction framework, but its federal delivery strains Centre–State coordination.

Article 47 in practice

• Umbrella scheme: the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's NAPDDR (2018, roadmap till 2025) covers prevention, treatment and rehabilitation [2].
• Awareness arm: Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan began on 15 August 2020 in 272 districts chosen using NCB inputs and the NDDTC-AIIMS survey, was extended to all districts in 2023 and has reached 35.84 crore people [1].
• Treatment network: IRCAs, ODICs, CPLIs, DDACs and ATFs in Government hospitals; treatment seekers rose from 2.08 lakh (2020-21) to 9.11 lakh (2025-26) [1].
• Last-mile delivery: Nasha Mukti Mitr volunteers, PRIs, Anganwadi and ASHA workers; de-addiction helpline 14446 [1].
• Legal support: Section 64A of the NDPS Act, 1985 protects addicts who volunteer for treatment from prosecution [3].

Challenges of Centre–State coordination

• Uniform funding: a flat Rs 10 lakh per district ignores differing burdens; Rs 333 crore (2026-27) works out to under Rs 50 per affected person among over 7 crore [1].
• Data gap: the 2018 survey gave only national and State estimates; district figures arrive only in 2027 [1].
• Inspection-linked grants: releases need satisfactory inspection reports, so delays can starve functioning centres [1].
• Mixed signals: MoSJE treats dependence as a psycho-social-medical problem [1], yet Section 27 criminalises consumption [3] and police enforcement lies with States.
• Two tracks: MANAS (1933) reports to NCB while 14446 offers help; confusing the two deters families [1].
• Capacity mismatch: treatment reaches only about 1.3% of affected persons a year [1].
• Emerging fix: State/UT, District and Block committees, suggested at the 9th NCORD Apex Level Meeting, formalise vertical accountability [1].

The framework has turned Article 47 from a prohibition ideal into a community-owned Jan Andolan. The next plan should use the 2027 district data for need-based grants, track treatment outcomes rather than reach, and use the NCORD forum to make Section 64A diversion a first step. Doing so would realise Article 47's public-health spirit and SDG target 3.5.