Punjab to launch India’s first evidence-based drug prevention curriculum for school students

Punjab’s war against drugs is taking a significant leap as the state government is set to roll out a pioneering drug prevention curriculum for students of Classes IX to XII in all government schools. This initiative marks the third phase of the ongoing “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign, announced Punjab’s School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

According to Bains, Aam Aadmi Party’s National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will launch the state-wide drug prevention curriculum on August 1 at Arniwala in Fazilka district.

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Elaborating on the curriculum, the minister said the programme has been developed by J-PAL South Asia, an organisation led by Nobel Laureate Prof Abhijit Banerjee. The initiative aims to empower approximately eight lakh students across Classes IX to XII with prevention-focused skills to combat substance abuse.

The curriculum comprises 35-minute sessions, conducted every fortnight over 27 weeks. It includes engaging formats such as documentaries, quizzes, posters, and interactive activities. The content will focus on myth-busting, refusal strategies, and resistance to peer pressure, equipping students to make informed decisions.

Bains added that the programme will be implemented across 3,658 schools and facilitated by more than 6,500 trained teachers. This comprehensive approach will ensure wide outreach and significant impact, providing Punjab’s students with the tools to resist substance abuse.

This initiative is grounded in evidence-based research and developed in collaboration with leading behavioural scientists. It has been evaluated through randomized trials conducted in 78 government schools across Amritsar and Tarn Taran during FY 2024–25.

Covering 9,600 students, these trials—assessed by J-PAL South Asia—revealed encouraging outcomes. Notably, 90 per cent of students in the intervention group recognised the high risk of addiction from trying ‘chitta’ even once, compared to only 69 per cent in the control group. Furthermore, belief in the myth that addiction can be overcome by willpower alone dropped from 50 per cent to 20 per cent.

Highlighting the urgency and significance of this initiative, Bains said, “Punjab becomes the first state in India to implement a state-wide, evidence-based drug prevention curriculum, reaffirming our belief that the battle against drugs begins in the classroom, not at the police station.”

The minister also shared details about the broader “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign, which was launched in March this year.

Under this initiative, the state government has taken stern action by arresting over 23,000 drug peddlers, confiscating more than 1,000 kilograms of heroin, and seizing properties acquired through illegal drug trade. These actions reflect the government’s strong resolve to eliminate the drug menace and secure a safer, brighter future for Punjab’s youth.