As part of the Bhagwant Mann Government’s campaign against drugs, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh,’ schools across Punjab have been asked to undertake a structured series of activities to create awareness among students about the risks and consequences of drug abuse and promote healthier, drug-free lifestyles as part of this ongoing initiative.
According to the activity calendar issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), schools will undertake activities involving students, teachers and the wider school community throughout the academic year. For the month of August, students will make posters carrying anti-drug messages.
September will be dedicated particularly to involving parents in the anti-drug campaign. Schools have been asked to use Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to make parents aware of the risks associated with narcotic substances and the importance of early identification and intervention.
In October, poetry writing and quiz competitions would be held. From November to February, local community members would be invited to share their experiences, apart from organising anti-drug abuse awareness workshops. An anti-drug abuse pledge would be taken in the morning assemblies and interactive sessions with students would be organised to make them aware of the risks of drugs and how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
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The schools have also been directed to establish drug-free clubs, with teachers, headmasters and non-teaching staff being nominated as members. They have also been asked to undertake awareness activities through creative and interactive formats, allowing students to engage with the issue beyond conventional lectures. Activities focusing on healthy lifestyles and informed decision-making form an important part of the programme.
Another major focus is to identify teachers who understand how to respond to drug-related concerns among students. More than 21,000 teachers are being equipped with the capacity and practical skills needed to identify early signs of mental health concerns and drug abuse among students and to intervene in time.
Also, the schools will use a video-based anti-drug curriculum to educate students about the risks and consequences of substance abuse. Alongside awareness activities, schools have been encouraged to install anonymous tip-off boxes, enabling students to report suspected substance abuse or related issues.
On this, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains’ stated, “The fight against drugs must begin in classrooms. 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.”
Under the directions, schools have further been asked to ensure a 500-metre drug-free zone around school premises and periodically report compliance. A mechanism for monitoring the activities has also been mandated, with school heads and mentors required to review the work and maintain records, including photographs.
The year-long calendar is part of Punjab’s broader ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign and seeks to create a sustained prevention ecosystem in schools by combining student engagement, teacher capacity-building, educational content and community participation.
