Punjab government launches school curriculum to combat drug addiction

The Bhagwant Mann government has launched the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) school curriculum to combat substance abuse among youth in Punjab. Developed in collaboration with CEGA, the University of California, Berkeley, and J-PAL—a research institution co-founded by Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo—the program is an evidence-based initiative designed to prevent addiction.

The curriculum focuses on debunking dangerous misconceptions that lead young people to underestimate the risks of drug use, particularly regarding opioids. Key myths addressed include the belief that substances like heroin or ‘chitta’ do not cause addiction after only one or two uses, the idea that addiction can be overcome through willpower alone, and the assumption that rehabilitation centers provide a permanent, one-time fix.

By targeting these misconceptions before addiction takes hold, the program aims to educate students on the reality that addiction is a complex process and that recovery requires sustained effort and support.