Chandigarh: In a renewed push under its state-wide anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashian De Virudh, the Punjab school education department has rolled out a comprehensive strategy to implement drug de-addiction and awareness programmes in govt schools across the state.The move comes as the state govt prepares to launch the second phase of the campaign, which will focus on skill development, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected youth. Experts have long raised concerns over the growing vulnerability of adolescents to drug exposure, and the shift underscores the state’s emphasis on early intervention and community-based engagement.As Punjab transitions to this next phase, the integration of preventive education with rehabilitation and skill-building pathways is seen as a holistic approach to tackling the drug crisis.As part of the school-level intervention, the education department has directed all school principals and district education officers to appoint dedicated nodal officers responsible for coordinating anti-drug activities on campus. These officers will oversee the implementation of major programmes such as the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), the Navchetna module, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) campaign, and the Buddy Programme. These efforts are being carried out in close coordination with the Punjab Police and the state health department.The department has made it clear that these measures will be closely monitored and evaluated as part of a wider, state-supported strategy to combat substance abuse from the grassroots level.All schools have been instructed to maintain a dedicated register documenting the name and designation of the appointed nodal officer, their training status under the Navchetna module, and a record of all anti-drug activities conducted. These include awareness sessions, parent-teacher meetings (PTMs), and community outreach programmes involving local stakeholders.In addition to maintaining these records, schools are also required to submit weekly reports every Monday. These must detail key activities such as PTM-based awareness sessions, the involvement of Narcotics Anonymous and health department teams, coordination with local law enforcement, and the functioning of student Buddy Groups.The department has emphasised that these initiatives are not merely about procedural compliance but represent a fundamental shift toward cultivating a drug-free academic environment. Schools are being encouraged to actively engage students, parents, and teachers through interactive workshops, counselling sessions, and locally-driven awareness campaigns.Director SCERT, Kiran Sharma, said the objective is to raise awareness among students and steer them away from drugs. “A comprehensive, month-wise action plan has been drawn up, and its implementation is under way. The campaign will continue until Feb next year, with a special focus on sensitising students above the age of 15,” she added. MSID:: 121993707 413 |
