Chandigarh, August 11: The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has initiated an extensive capacity-building program across twelve districts to strengthen classroom-level interventions against substance abuse and support student mental health. The massive educational drive aims to train 21,850 teachers across more than 500 batches under the state’s flagship Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign. Following successful pilot programs in border regions and key districts earlier this year, the expanded phase covers Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Mohali, Ropar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, and Patiala. Officials stated that equipping educators with psychosocial awareness allows early detection of behavioral changes that might otherwise be mistaken for simple indiscipline.
Highlighting the preventive strategy behind the initiative, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh affirmed that early intervention remains critical to saving vulnerable youth. Every child who slips into the darkness of drugs is a child we could have reached earlier, Dr Balbir Singh stated, noting that educators are uniquely positioned to spot subtle changes in student behavior. He maintained that the specialized instruction empowers teachers to respond with compassion rather than punishment, ensuring students receive timely care without facing social stigma. The multi-departmental project is being implemented through the State Council of Educational Research and Training alongside the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development, supported by technical insights from state intelligence units.
