Punjab launches India’s first anti-drug curriculum in schools

Punjab is set to introduce India's first structured, evidence-based anti-drug curriculum in government schools starting in August as part of its broader campaign to combat substance abuse.

The initiative, part of the third phase of the 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' (War Against Drugs) drive, was launched by Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Arniwala, Fazilka.

The program targets students from Classes 9 to 12 across 3,658 government schools and aims to reach nearly 800,000 students.

Over 6,500 teachers have been trained to deliver the 27-week module, which will be conducted every two weeks in 35-minute sessions.

The sessions incorporate documentaries, quizzes, discussions, and activities to help students identify drug-related risks, counter misinformation, and resist peer pressure.

Developed in collaboration with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee’s J-PAL South Asia and leading behavioral experts, the curriculum emphasizes decision-making and awareness over fear-based deterrence.

Prior to its official rollout, the program was piloted in 78 schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, involving around 9,600 students.

The pilot outcomes indicate a significant shift in student awareness. “90% of students who went through the curriculum understood that even trying 'chitta' once could lead to addiction,” a project official noted.

In contrast, only 69% of students in the control group held the same understanding. Additionally, the belief that “willpower alone can beat addiction” dropped from 50% to 20% among participating students.

Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains underscored the long-term goal of the initiative. “The fight against drugs must begin in classrooms, not just in police stations,” he said.

While law enforcement remains a key pillar of Punjab’s anti-drug strategy, with over 23,000 drug smugglers arrested and more than 1,000 kg of heroin seized, the new curriculum signals a major policy shift toward prevention through education.

By embedding this curriculum in schools, Punjab becomes the first state in India to institutionalize anti-drug education at this scale, offering a model for others to follow.