Drugs in Punjab’s classrooms: To detect early users, teachers undergo special training

To combat drug addiction and substance use among schoolchildren, teachers in Punjab's government schools are undergoing specialized training to identify early users. This initiative, part of the AAP's "Yuddh Nasheyan Virudh" campaign, is led by experts from Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Mohali. The program focuses on teachers in border districts, given the regional drug problem's origins there.

Dr Balwinder Singh Saini, assistant director at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Punjab, explained that teachers are trained to handle sensitive situations with empathy, without humiliation or harsh judgment. The "Teacher Awareness Building Programme for Student Mental Health and Substance Use" aims to strengthen school ecosystems by recognizing schools as critical platforms for prevention and early intervention.

Teachers are taught to engage with students through private, non-judgmental conversations, identify warning signs like behavioral and emotional changes, and refer students to counselors when necessary. After training in Amritsar, a survey found that 76% of teachers felt motivated to contribute to a healthier school environment and 86% acknowledged the link between adolescent substance use and various factors.

The program is supported by funds from the Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyan and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction, with a budget of Rs 4.60 lakh per district.