Stories
Punjab's 'War Against Drugs': Bhagwant Mann Govt's 5-Pronged Strategy
- •Under CM Bhagwant Mann, Punjab's 'War Against Drugs' is a comprehensive five-pronged strategy involving police, teachers, community volunteers, youth, and healthcare workers.
- •Police registered 61,824 FIRs and arrested 81,433 individuals between March 2025 and September 2026, seizing unprecedented quantities of narcotics.
- •Teachers are delivering a 14-week anti-drug curriculum to 7.5 lakh students in 3,600 schools, with 25,000 teachers being trained for early identification and intervention.
- •Youth and peer networks promote healthy lifestyles through sports, culture, and community engagement, making it easier for young people to say 'no' to drugs.
- •Punjab has 547 OOAT centers, 219 de-addiction centers, and 91 rehabilitation centers, with a 170% increase in individuals seeking institutional treatment in 2025.
Key Questions Answered
Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab's 'War Against Drugs' campaign utilizes a comprehensive five-pronged strategy involving the police, teachers, community volunteers, youth, and healthcare workers. These five groups work together to strike at drug supply networks, prevent drug abuse, strengthen the information system, and provide timely treatment and rehabilitation to those struggling with drug problems.
Between March 2025 and September 2026, Punjab's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) registered 61,824 FIRs and arrested 81,433 individuals. During this period, the police recovered unprecedented quantities of narcotics, including 3918 kg of heroin, 991 kg of opium, 47 tons of poppy husk, 1416 kg of cannabis, and 6.5 million tablets and capsules.
Teachers serve as a critical line of defense by identifying early signs of mental health issues and drug abuse risks before individuals fall prey to addiction. A specialized 14-week anti-drug curriculum is being taught to 7.5 lakh students across 3,600 schools by trained teachers, with phased training underway for thousands of teachers across multiple districts.
