The North News
Chandigarh, August 1
The Punjab government has launched a pioneering anti-drug curriculum for school students as part of its ongoing campaign against drug abuse. The initiative, unveiled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, aims to educate over 800,000 students across 3,658 government schools from classes 9 to 12.
The syllabus, introduced under the third phase of the state’s “Yudh Nashean De Virudh” (War Against Drugs), will feature fortnightly 35-minute sessions over 27 weeks. These sessions will include documentaries, quizzes, posters, and interactive activities, focusing on themes such as peer pressure, myths about drug use, and strategies to stay drug-free.
“This marks a new chapter in Punjab’s fight against drugs,” said Kejriwal during the launch event in a border district. He added that renowned scientists and experts will contribute to the programme, helping students understand the dangers of drug addiction.
Kejriwal also highlighted the government’s recent crackdown on drug traffickers. Over 15,000 individuals have been jailed, properties linked to illegal drug trade have been seized or demolished, and more than 1,000 kilograms of heroin have been recovered.
However, he accused opposition parties of shielding major drug traffickers, claiming that many political leaders have supported a notorious drug kingpin arrested by the government. Chief Minister Mann said the decision to introduce the curriculum in government schools — where children do not vote — shows that the initiative is not politically motivated. “Previous governments ruined Punjab’s youth through drug patronage. We are determined to undo that damage,” he said.
Mann alleged that during earlier regimes, drug traffickers operated with political backing, even using ministerial vehicles for smuggling. He vowed that the state would continue legal proceedings against political leaders allegedly involved, including Akali leader Bikram Majithia. In parallel with education reforms, the Punjab government is developing sports infrastructure in villages and encouraging community participation through panchayat resolutions and public pledges. A dedicated WhatsApp number (9779100200) has also been launched to report drug-related information anonymously.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the curriculum would also be extended to private schools and claimed that Punjab now ranks among the top states for school education. Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains described the education sector reforms as revolutionary and linked them to the broader effort to eliminate drugs from Punjab. The state’s “War Against Drugs” campaign has so far reached over 10,000 villages and urban wards, with rehabilitation programmes also underway to support those recovering from addiction.
