“Yudh Nashean Virudh”: Government of Punjab’s Campaign Against

According to a Parliamentary Panel Report from 2023, there were 6,600,000 people estimated to be using drugs in Punjab. Among these were almost 697,000 children aged between 10 and 17 years. The Education Department in Punjab is making efforts for behavioural development and awareness against Drug Abuse among school students. Government school teachers have begun training under the campaign “ Yudh Nashean Virudh”. The Education Department in Punjab is making efforts for behavioural development and awareness against Drug Abuse among school students, which is directed by the Punjab government.

About the Campaign

To address the issue of drug use among children and bring awareness, around 3238 teachers will be trained in counselling, behavioural sciences, as well as mentoring students against drug abuse. The state government plans to introduce drug awareness and sensitisation into the school curriculum.

The Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, also addressed the capacity building program for training teachers in government schools at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Maha Singh Gate. He said that teachers play an important role in guiding students’ behaviour and keeping them away from drugs, as well as making them mentally strong. He added that the initiative would be commenced in Amritsar. 3238 teachers will be trained there over 16 days. The training sessions will be held in Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Maha Singh Gate, Saragarhi Memorial School of Eminence, Town Hall at Mandi, Senior Secondary Residential School for Meritorious Students, Amritsar.

Read More: Research: How Addictive Drugs Can Hijack the Brain’s Reward System

Educators to Play a Key Role

The Health Minister stated that under the campaign ‘ Yudh Nashean Virudh’, school teachers have been given the responsibility of spreading awareness among students about drugs. They will identify mental health issues and also guide students towards a positive lifestyle with better coping techniques.

 The trainers providing training to teachers have themselves also undergone a special two-day training programme at Guru Nanak Dev University. Where they were trained by experts from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and DITSU. Specialised curriculum and activities have been developed for the school students to increase awareness against drugs.