Punjab Government’s Major Action Plan Against Drugs: Raising Awareness Among Children Through Schools

August 20, 2026

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has adopted a new and comprehensive strategy to make the state drug-free. The campaign against drugs will no longer be limited to police action or rehabilitation centers; instead, it will begin in schools and classrooms. Thousands of teachers will become integral to this campaign once schools reopen after the summer holidays. Under the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the roles of teachers, school heads, and parents are being strengthened to protect adolescents from substance abuse.

Special Training for Teachers

The Punjab government has focused specifically on those who interact with children and adolescents on a daily basis. In collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, training has been provided to over 1,400 school heads across nine districts, including border districts. This training covered the early identification of substance abuse, sensitive interaction with students, and understanding mental health issues.

Additionally, capacity-building workshops were organized in Amritsar for more than 3,000 teachers instructing students in classes 9 through 12. Following the training, 75 percent of the teachers expressed motivation to create a more positive and safe school environment, while 85 percent acknowledged the link between adolescent substance abuse and factors such as stress, peer pressure, and emotional challenges.

Special Focus on Mental Health

The Punjab government aims to go beyond mere awareness about drugs and is addressing the underlying mental and social causes. To this end, a ‘Mindfulness Program’ has been launched in government schools. A daily 30-minute session is conducted for students in classes 6 through 12, incorporating activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, positive thinking, and the practice of gratitude. During the pilot project of this program across approximately 210 government schools in Mohali, 83 percent of students reported that they are now better equipped to handle stressful situations and feel mentally stronger.

India’s First Evidence-Based Anti-Drug Curriculum

The Punjab government has also implemented the country’s first evidence-based anti-drug curriculum for students in classes 9 through 12 across schools in the state. Launched in August last year, this program engages around 8 lakh students from 3,658 schools. More than 6,500 trained teachers are delivering this curriculum.

Developed in collaboration with J-PAL South Asia and behavioral science experts, the curriculum teaches students about the adverse effects of substance abuse, strategies to cope with peer pressure, decision-making skills, and practical ways to say ‘no’ to drugs.

Punjab Government’s Goal: A Safe and Aware Young Generation

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that every child saved from substance abuse forms the foundation of a secure family and a better future. Meanwhile, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains remarked that teachers are the greatest agents of societal change and that their active participation would make this campaign even more effective.