She launched a campaign against Drug Abuse which evolved into an organization
Dr. Kiran Bedi was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police of Delhi's North District in 1986. The area's main problem was drug abuse. At the time, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation operated the only drug addiction treatment center in Delhi (Ashiana). Bedi came up with yet another creative remedy after considering the gravity of the matter. She founded a non-governmental organization with the aid of her senior officers, as well as 16 serving Delhi Police officers. Detox centers were established on police grounds to aid in the rehabilitation of drug users, as well as the education of street children, the development of vocational skills for female drug dealers, and detox programs. Doctors and Yoga Teachers volunteered their time and talents to these detox centers, which were funded by community donations. The concept caught on, and within a few years, numerous Detox Centers were established, each having the capacity to handle 30 to 100 patients.
Kiran Bedi traveled the length and width of India, raising awareness about the program, the effects of drug usage, and the role of schools, colleges, parents, law enforcement, and the community. Kiran's effort became a trailblazing movement, and the Non-Profit Organization was renamed Navjyoti India Foundation (NIF) in 2007. "Navjyoti" means "New Light," and "NIF" means "New Light." Since then, NIF has helped almost 20,000 drug and alcohol addicts in residential treatment and thousands more through community outreach initiatives in India. Apart from therapy, the center has received funding from a German NGO and the US government to expand its research and training capabilities. Navjyoti now has overwhelming support from the Indian government, and they have rapidly expanded to address other social concerns such as illiteracy and women empowerment.
