Punjab E News (Pawan Dhupar): Punjab, which has long been struggling with the problem of drugs—a crisis that has destroyed countless homes—is now witnessing real change. That dark era is being left behind. In Punjab, the fight against drugs is no longer limited to police stations, but is now being fought inside classrooms. The Mann Government has taken a historic step that will become a model for the entire country in the future. For the first time, a scientifically designed anti-drug curriculum has been launched in all government schools across the state. Since August 1, students from grades 9 to 12 are being taught this special course aimed at preventing drug use.
This initiative is a vital part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s campaign “Yudh Nashiyan De Virudh” (War Against Drugs). The aim is to empower nearly 800,000 students with prevention-focused skills to resist substance abuse. The curriculum has been designed by Nobel Prize winner Prof. Abhijit Banerjee’s team in collaboration with education experts. To implement it effectively across 3,658 government schools, more than 6,500 teachers have been specially trained. Under this program, children will attend a 35-minute class every fortnight for 27 weeks, where they will learn how to say no to drugs, how to resist peer pressure, and how to make independent decisions by recognizing truth—while also being encouraged to develop life skills.
This is the first time any state government has taken such a concrete and visionary step against drugs. The course is not limited to lectures; students will also watch films, participate in quizzes, and engage in posters, worksheets, and interactive activities designed to strengthen their mindset. They will be taught that drugs are never “cool,” but a path leading only to destruction. When this curriculum was piloted in around 78 schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, the results were remarkable. Out of 9,600 students, 90% agreed that trying drugs even once can lead to addiction. Earlier, 50% of students believed that willpower alone was enough to quit drugs; after the program, this dropped to 20%. These figures prove that the right education can change thinking, and with changed thinking, society transforms. The Mann Government’s dual policy is clear—strict crackdown on supply, and smart, thoughtful action on demand.
Punjab’s initiative could serve as a model for other states across India. Under the “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh” campaign, which began on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police had arrested more than 28,025 drug traffickers by the end of August 2025. The time has come when every parent can proudly say their child is safe from drugs—and the Mann Government has given that guarantee.
This step by the Mann Government is not just an education policy, but a social revolution. Unlike other governments that make empty promises, the Mann Government believes in working at the grassroots level. The day is not far when Punjab will shed the label of Udta Punjab (Punjab in the grip of drugs) and re-emerge as Rangla Punjab (Vibrant Punjab), regaining its past glory. This is not a political agenda like in other governments, but a sacred mission driven by the Mann Government.
