Punjab launches multi-pronged anti-drug campaign through schools and sports

The Punjab government is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to combat substance abuse through education and sports. Under the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, schools across the state will participate in a year-long series of awareness activities. Managed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the initiative includes poster-making, poetry competitions, and parent-teacher sensitization to educate students and families on the risks of narcotics.

To support this, over 21,000 teachers are being trained to identify early signs of drug abuse and mental health concerns. Schools are also directed to establish anti-drug clubs involving staff and local community members.

Complementing these educational efforts, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched the fourth edition of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan,’ a massive multi-sport event. Expected to involve over 10 lakh participants across 38 sports and 4 para-sports, the games aim to redirect youth energy toward athletics. The government has allocated Rs 1,794 crore for sports, including the development of 3,148 grounds and 6,000 village gyms, as part of a broader effort to provide alternatives to drug use.