Punjab's Groundbreaking Anti-Drug Curriculum for Schools

Punjab is set to pioneer India's battle against drug abuse with its launch of the country's first evidence-based anti-drug curriculum for school students, announced by Anamika Tiwari.

Set to commence on August 1 in Arniwala, Fazilka, Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will inaugurate the initiative as part of the state's 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' campaign. The program targets approximately 8 lakh students across Classes 9 to 12 in 3,658 schools, facilitated by over 6,500 trained educators, according to School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

Developed alongside Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee's J-PAL South Asia and leading behavioral scientists, the curriculum aims to provide students with the necessary skills to resist drug use and make well-informed choices. The 27-week, 35-minute interactive sessions will engage students bi-weekly through documentaries, quizzes, posters, and group activities, addressing peer pressure and promoting sound decision-making strategies.

Randomized studies in 78 government schools across Amritsar and Tarn Taran involving 9,600 students revealed substantial impacts. A striking 90% of participants recognized the potential for addiction from a single try of drugs like 'chitta,' compared to 69% in the control group. Additionally, the belief in overcoming addiction through sheer willpower fell drastically from 50% to 20%. Bains emphasized the innovative approach, noting that the fight against drugs must begin in classrooms rather than police stations.

Bains also reported over 23,000 arrests of drug smugglers, seizure of over 1,000 kg of heroin, and confiscation of offenders' properties, underscoring the government's dedication to safeguarding Punjab's youth. By introducing this curriculum, Punjab becomes the first Indian state to implement an anti-drug program at such scale, emphasizing prevention through dynamic classroom learning and behavioral transformation. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)