CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 21 — Educational institutions across Punjab are executing a structured, year-long anti-drug awareness program as part of the state government’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training issued an official activity calendar directing schools to involve students, faculty, and local communities in continuous prevention efforts throughout the academic session.
“The fight against drugs must begin in classrooms,” affirmed Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. “Education and prevention are our most powerful weapons in this decisive war on drugs. Guarding young minds through awareness, values and discipline is the only sustainable way to eliminate the drug menace in Punjab”.
The curriculum incorporates poster-making, parent-teacher awareness drives, poetry, quizzes, interactive workshops, and video-based educational content. Morning assemblies will feature daily anti-drug pledges and guidance sessions on healthy decision-making.
To enable early intervention, more than 21,000 teachers are receiving specialized capacity-building training to recognize early indicators of substance abuse and adolescent mental health concerns.
Administrative directives also require schools to establish dedicated drug-free clubs involving staff members, install anonymous student tip-off boxes, and enforce a 500-metre drug-free perimeter around school grounds. School heads will maintain records and submission logs to monitor compliance.
