As Punjab enters the decisive phase of its anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashean Virudh, the state government is strengthening people’s participation in the fight against drugs by highlighting the importance of mental health, early intervention and community support in preventing substance use through dialogues at the schools, colleges and universities across the state.
On those lines, a panel discussion titled ‘Mental Health and Reducing the Demand for Drugs’ to mark World Mental Health Day was organised on Saturday at Rayat Bahra University by the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab and the Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit (DITSU), under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
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At the event, the experts exhorted that drug abuse should not be viewed merely as a physical health issue. It also has mental, emotional and social attributes. Stress, loneliness and negative peer influence and personal life stresses can make a young person vulnerable to drug abuse. Therefore, the importance of early intervention, family support, mental health awareness and timely professional intervention is being highlighted under the Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative of the Punjab government.
The panel discussion also marked the conclusion of a week-long training programme for fellows under the state’s Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP), described as the country’s first fellowship dedicated to mitigating substance use. .
The panellists for the event included psychologist Praneet Kaur, psychiatrist Dr Sukhtej Sahni, social influencer Mehul Saini and motorcyclist Shivani Chauhan, and was attended by students, rider groups, and other participants.
Students were also urged to resist any peer pressure to experiment with addictive substances. They were also asked to encourage friends showing signs of drug use to seek help, instead of ridiculing or isolating them. The experts recommended healthy lifestyles, participation in sporting and recreational activities, and cultivating better friendships to eliminate drug abuse.
Urging students not to suppress their emotional issues, the panellists encouraged them to share their feelings with parents, teachers or other trusted friends and seek psychological help from counsellors or qualified healthcare professionals should the circumstances so demand.
On the same morning, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann commenced the decisive phase of Yudh Nashean Virudh from Chappar Chiri in Fatehgarh Sahib by flagging off Punjab Against Drugs bikers’ rally that will travel through Punjab. The aim is to make the fight against drugs a people’s movement.
At the event CM Bhagwant Singh Mann encouraged everyone to join the battle against drug abuse. He said the fight against drugs is not just for the government or police, it needs everyone’s participation.
