Punjab has taken a historic step by launching India’s first evidence-based anti-drug curriculum for students in Classes 9 to 12, starting August 1, 2025. Inaugurated by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Arniwala, Fazilka, this initiative is a cornerstone of the state’s “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign. Covering approximately 8 lakh students in 3,658 government schools, the program, delivered by over 6,500 trained teachers, aims to equip young minds with the tools to resist substance abuse and make informed decisions.
Evidence-Based Curriculum Designed by Experts
Key Points:
- Developed with Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee’s J-PAL South Asia and behavioral scientists.
- 27-week program with 35-minute sessions every two weeks.
- Features interactive content like documentaries, quizzes, posters, and group activities.
- Focuses on myth-busting, refusal strategies, and resisting peer pressure.
The curriculum, crafted in collaboration with J-PAL South Asia, led by Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee, and leading behavioral scientists, is grounded in scientific evidence. Spanning 27 weeks, it includes 35-minute interactive sessions held fortnightly, designed to engage students through documentaries, quizzes, posters, and group activities. The content emphasizes debunking myths about drug use, teaching refusal strategies, and building resilience against peer pressure, fostering informed decision-making among students.
- Launched on August 1, 2025, by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Mann in Arniwala, Fazilka.
- Part of the third phase of the “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign.
- Targets 8 lakh students across 3,658 government schools in Classes 9-12.
- Supported by over 6,500 trained teachers to deliver the program.
Proven Impact Through Randomized Trials
Key Points:
- Pilot tested in 78 government schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran with 9,600 students.
- 90% of students recognized the risk of addiction from trying drugs like “chitta” once, compared to 69% in the control group.
- Belief that addiction can be overcome by willpower alone dropped from 50% to 20%.
- Demonstrates significant improvement in addiction risk awareness.
The curriculum’s effectiveness was validated through randomized trials conducted in 2024-25 across 78 government schools in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, involving 9,600 students. Evaluated by J-PAL South Asia, the trials showed remarkable results: 90% of students in the intervention group understood that even a single use of drugs like “chitta” could lead to addiction, compared to 69% in the control group. Additionally, the misconception that willpower alone can overcome addiction decreased from 50% to 20%, highlighting the program’s impact on shifting attitudes.
Complementing Punjab’s Broader Anti-Drug Efforts
Key Points:
- Part of the “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign launched in March 2025.
- Over 23,000 drug peddlers arrested and 1,000 kg of heroin seized.
- Properties of offenders confiscated to disrupt drug networks.
- Emphasizes prevention through education alongside law enforcement.
The anti-drug curriculum is a key component of Punjab’s “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign, launched in March 2025. The state has taken stringent enforcement actions, arresting over 23,000 drug peddlers, seizing more than 1,000 kg of heroin, and confiscating properties linked to drug trafficking. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains emphasized, “The fight against drugs must begin in classrooms, not just in police stations,” highlighting the curriculum’s role in addressing the demand side of drug abuse through prevention-focused education.
Integration with Other Educational Reforms
Key Points:
- Aligns with NEP 2020’s focus on holistic, student-centric education.
- Complements initiatives like Maharashtra’s maths and science program and ChatGPT’s Study Mode.
- Builds on Punjab’s earlier 10-hour anti-drug awareness course launched in March 2025.
- Enhances student empowerment through informed decision-making skills.
This curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on holistic and student-centric learning, complementing initiatives like Maharashtra’s technology-driven maths and science program and ChatGPT’s multilingual Study Mode. It builds on Punjab’s earlier efforts, such as the 10-hour anti-drug awareness course introduced in March 2025 in collaboration with Punjabi University and the Educational Multimedia Research Centre, which targeted drug hotspots and schools with 20 modules of video content. This new curriculum expands the scope, integrating prevention into the formal education system for greater impact.
A Model for Nationwide Change
Key Points:
- Punjab sets a national precedent as the first state to implement a statewide anti-drug curriculum.
- Addresses Punjab’s long-standing drug crisis through education and empowerment.
- Potential to inspire other states to adopt similar prevention-focused programs.
- Supports a drug-free future for Punjab’s youth.
As the first Indian state to implement a statewide, evidence-based anti-drug curriculum, Punjab is setting a powerful precedent for tackling substance abuse through education. By reaching 8 lakh students and leveraging interactive, evidence-based methods, the program addresses the state’s decades-long drug crisis at its roots. With its focus on prevention, behavioral change, and informed decision-making, this initiative not only empowers Punjab’s youth but also serves as a model for other states, paving the way for a drug-free future.
