Arniwala (Fazilka), Aug 1 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday unveiled the anti-drug curriculum to be introduced in schools under “war against drugs” campaign with an aim to make eight lakh students aware against the menace of drugs.
Addressing the gathering, the AAP chief said this marks the beginning of a new chapter in Punjab’s battle against drugs from the state’s border district.
Punjab’s war against drugs has now reached a crucial stage, said Kejriwal, adding as part of the third phase of the state government’s campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (war against drugs) — a special syllabus is being introduced in all government schools for students from classes 9 to 12.
The former Delhi chief minister said that eight lakh students from these classes will be made aware of the dangers of drug abuse through this syllabus and encouraged to stay away from narcotic substances.
Kejriwal said this anti-drug programme will involve 3,658 schools and renowned scientists will also take part in raising awareness among students.
The curriculum will include 35-minute sessions to be conducted fortnightly over 27 weeks and will include documentaries, quizzes, posters and interactive activities, he added.
The AAP national convener said these sessions will focus on major themes such as busting myths about drugs, strategies to say no to drugs and resisting peer pressure.
This path breaking initiative will be replicated in other states too for wiping out the menace of drugs, he envisioned.
Kejriwal said Punjab shares an international border with Pakistan which made it a drug route for smugglers.
The AAP chief said the state government has already launched the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (war against drugs) campaign and under this initiative, more than 15,000 drug traffickers have been sent to jail, properties have been seized and over 1,000 kilograms of heroin have been recovered.
The properties acquired by drug smugglers through illegal drug trade are being demolished, he added.
Targeting the previous regimes, Kejriwal said that they remained mum on the plight of the state due to drugs “but are supporting the kingpin of drugs”.
He said the ‘Nasha Mukti Yatra’ has reached more than 10,000 villages and wards of the state, adding the desired results are coming.
The AAP national convener said it is the responsibility of every youth to support this unique and noble initiative of the Punjab government.
It is unfortunate that no state or country has remained untouched by the menace of drugs, he added.
Kejriwal exhorted the people of Punjab to unite and pledge to make the society drug-free.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mann said the crusade against drugs has been ongoing for the past 150 days and hundreds of panchayats have passed resolutions pledging they will never support drug traffickers.
This war against drugs has now transformed into a mass movement, said Mann, adding the state government has introduced anti-drug education into the school syllabus as part of it.
The chief minister said students will be made aware of the dangers of drug addiction as the first use of drugs marks the beginning of a ruined life.
A complete facelift of government schools has taken place due to the state government’s strenuous efforts, he added.
Mann claimed that students are leaving private schools and joining government schools which shows people’s trust in them.
He alleged the blot of drugs has been put on the face of the state by the previous governments.
The chief minister said “it took us time to formulate a strategy” after his party came to power in the state.
“The state government started de-addiction centres to ensure treatment for those giving up drugs. The state government is also working to skill them and enable them to live life with dignity and pride,” he added. PTI SUN AS AS
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