Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s big push to make state drug-free

Punjab Chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government has expanded its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ anti-drug campaign beyond a conventional police crackdown, combining action against drug networks with prevention in schools, youth engagement, community vigilance and treatment for people battling addiction.The government said the campaign seeks to make it harder to sell drugs, easier for citizens to report peddling, prevent young people from falling into addiction and ensure those affected can access timely treatment. The strategy brings police, teachers, students, community volunteers and health workers into a coordinated anti-drug effort.Between March 2025 and September 2026, Punjab’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force registered 61,824 FIRs and arrested 81,433 people. Authorities seized 3,918 kg heroin, 991 kg opium, 47 tonnes poppy husk, 1,416 kg ganja and 65 lakh tablets and capsules during the period. Punjab Police also conducted 79,293 public meetings to strengthen community participation in the campaign.The government has simultaneously taken the prevention campaign into schools. A 14-week anti-drug curriculum is being taught to 7.5 lakh students across 3,600 schools through trained teachers. In the first phase, nearly 25,000 teachers from 13 districts are being sensitised, with 7,000 already trained in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Fazilka. The programme aims to help teachers identify early signs of mental-health distress, vulnerability to substance abuse and possible intervention.Youth programmes are also being used to address peer influence and social acceptance of drugs. Schools have been given year-long activity calendars, while colleges are promoting cultural festivals, mental-health clubs, sports and other activities to encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the stigma around recovery.At the grassroots level, around 1.25 lakh people have joined nearly 15,000 Village and Ward Defence Committees. More than 50,000 members have been trained to use the Nasha Mukti App to report drug-related information and connect people seeking help with government services.Since its launch on March 1, 2025, the safe Punjab whatsApp helpline has received more than 51,000 citizen tip-offs, which the government said helped police make over 25,000 drug-related arrests.The government has also expanded treatment infrastructure, with Punjab currently having 547 OOAT centres, 219 de-addiction centres and 91 rehabilitation centres. Government facilities have been revamped, health workers trained and skilling and creative activities introduced at treatment centres.Admissions to government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres rose from over 12,200 in 2024 to nearly 34,000 in 2025, an increase of more than 170%, according to the government. The figures indicate a sharp rise in people seeking institutional support as Punjab seeks to combine enforcement with prevention, community action and rehabilitation in its fight against drugs.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.