Punjab’s Anti-drug Campaign

August 9, 2026

It is an open fact that since the Aam Aadmi Party government came to power in Punjab, it has launched a massive campaign against drug abuse. At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also planning to launch a similar campaign in collaboration with the younger generation.

The Punjab government’s campaign against drug abuse has been largely successful. Much work has been accomplished, and much remains to be done, as evidenced by the recently released 129th report of the Government Business Committee in the Punjab Legislative Assembly.

The report shows that, due to the government’s efforts, the number of patients admitted to de-addiction centres for drug addiction increased from 10,896 in 2022 to 25,290 in 2025. This means that the number of patients seeking de-addiction treatment increased by 132 per cent in three years.

Statistics show that the Punjab government has left no stone unturned in combating the curse of drug addiction. It purchased and distributed 43.44 crore anti-addiction tablets over four years. A total of 3,17,764 registrations have been made in OOAT clinics.

The government purchased 7 crore Buprenorphine 2 mg tablets for de-addiction treatment in 2022 and 11 crore in 2025. Intensifying the anti-drug campaign, another 6 crore tablets were purchased in just six months, from January 1 to June 30, 2026.

Around 60 per cent more tablets were distributed over the last four years through the OOAT clinics being run in jails for de-addiction treatment.

Special beds have also been made available in the state to treat people suffering from drug addiction. At one point, Ludhiana had only 15 beds for 250 patients. Now, the number of beds is being increased, and teams of senior doctors will inspect the city’s hospitals, even at night.

The government has helped people struggling with addiction come out of the cycle of drug dependence by providing them with buprenorphine tablets. Now, the government’s next task is to help young people stay away from addiction through yoga, sports and awareness campaigns.

The government is calling young people who have given up drugs and inspired others to do the same “Suraamas”. If young people are engaged in productive employment, they are more likely to stay away from drugs. The government is aware of this, and over the past four years, 68,000 jobs have been created for young people.

The government is continuously making serious efforts to eradicate drug addiction. Its commitment to this cause is evident.