Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Wednesday launched a comprehensive drug and socio-economic survey across the state, with 28,000 personnel deployed to cover around 65 lakh households.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the survey aims to assess the extent of drug abuse and evaluate the socio-economic conditions of people, including income and education levels.
“The objective is to understand the drug problem in detail and formulate targeted policies for better outcomes,” Mann said.
The survey is expected to be completed within three months. An allocation of ₹150 crore has been made for the exercise in the 2026-27 financial year.
Officials said the data collected will help in designing an effective rehabilitation policy for drug-affected individuals. The move marks a shift in the government’s approach from strict law enforcement towards a more rehabilitation-focused strategy.
