DW BUREAU

Punjab Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur on Monday said a state action plan worth Rs 42.95 crore has been proposed under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) in 2026-27. The action plan entails drug prevention initiatives, awareness campaigns, life skills education, counselling services, de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes. Kaur, who is the minister for social security, women and child development, chaired a meeting with senior officials from various departments here.

According to a statement, the meeting focused on finalising the state action plans for 2026-27 under the NAPDDR and the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.

Senior officials from the departments of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH, School Education, Higher Education, Youth Services and Sports, Information and Public Relations, Punjab Skill Development Mission and Jails participated in the meeting. Kaur said the Punjab government is pursuing a comprehensive, result-oriented, and multi-pronged strategy to eliminate the drug menace.

The government's approach, she emphasised, extends beyond strict action against drug traffickers and focuses equally on prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of affected individuals.

Kaur said awareness campaigns will be strengthened at school, college and community levels to prevent youths from falling prey to substance abuse.

(editor@dailyworld.in)