No more drugs, we want education: Bhagwant Mann to introduce new curriculum; tackling drug addiction in focus

NEW DELHI: The Punjab government will implement a drug prevention curriculum in all government schools across the state starting August 1, targeting students in grades 9 to 12. The initiative aims to curb drug use through education and is part of a broader strategy to address both the supply and demand sides of drug abuse.

The curriculum, developed under the guidance of Nobel laureate Prof Abhijit Banerjee, includes 15 sessions delivered over 27 weeks. Students will attend 35-minute classes every fortnight, focusing on how to resist peer pressure, make informed decisions, and understand the risks associated with drug use. Teaching materials include films, quizzes, posters, worksheets, and interactive activities.

The program will cover approximately 800,000 students in 3,658 government schools across Punjab. Over 6,500 teachers have undergone training to deliver the sessions.

According to data from a pilot run in 78 schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, the curriculum led to measurable changes in student attitudes.

Of the 9,600 students who participated, 90% recognised that trying drugs even once could lead to addiction. The belief that drug addiction could be overcome by willpower alone dropped from 50% to 20% after the sessions.

This education-focused approach complements the state’s enforcement efforts under the “War Against Drugs” campaign, which began in March 2025. Since then, over 23,000 alleged drug traffickers have been arrested, more than 1,000 kilograms of heroin seized, and properties linked to drug offences confiscated.

The Punjab government has stated that while law enforcement remains a priority, long-term solutions require preventive measures, particularly targeting youth. Officials said the school-based curriculum could serve as a model for other states looking to implement similar preventive strategies.