Punjab arms its schools in the war against drugs
Bhagwant Mann
, along with Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, unveiled the anti-drug curriculum to be introduced in schools under the 'War Against Drugs' initiative.
The 'School Nashiyan Virudh Curriculum' has been developed to raise awareness among 8 lakh students from Classes IX to XII about the harmful effects of drug use. It employs interactive sessions, real-life videos, and expert guidance to engage students. The curriculum is structured into three sections, covering challenges and solutions.
Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal said this marks the beginning of a new chapter in Punjab's battle against drugs.
A special syllabus is being introduced in all govt schools for students from Classes 9 to 12.
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.
CM Bhagwant Mann said the blot of drugs was put on the face of the state by the previous govts.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Durable Perforated Stainless Steel Sheets Online – Trusted Suppliers
Stainless Steel Sheets | Search ADS
Search Now
Undo
It took time to formulate a strategy, and the state govt started de-addiction centres to ensure treatment for those giving up drugs. He said the crusade against drugs has now transformed into a mass movement. As part of it, the state govt has introduced anti-drug education into the school syllabus.
The CM said to keep the youth of the state away from the temptation of drugs, the Punjab govt is constructing playgrounds and gyms in every village.
A WhatsApp number, 9779100200, has been issued for people to report information about drug trafficking, adding that the identity of the informants is kept strictly confidential. Mann said efforts are also being made for the rehabilitation of individuals who have quit drug use, so they can stand on their feet again and lead lives of dignity and respect.
Results from a pilot study in 78 schools
During a pilot study conducted in eight schools, it was found that more than 21% students recognised that trying chitta (heroin) even once carries a high risk of addiction.
The belief that addiction can be overcome through willpower alone fell from 50% to 26%, emphasising that the only way is to not engage in it to begin with.
Interactive activities to engage students
The curriculum incorporates interactive activities to engage students with the core themes in a dynamic and impactful way. Students role-play to learn to say no to peer pressure. Discussions focus on the importance and confidence of drawing clear boundaries and not being influenced by peer pressure.
Different refusal strategies for saying no in situations where drugs are offered are discussed.
Nine documentaries and two expert videos complement the role-plays and scenario-based questions that precede them. The curriculum is designed to help students apply the concepts learned in the videos to other scenarios and their own lives.
Real-life stories from Punjab capture personal journeys of falling into addiction, making students aware of the dangers of drug abuse.
The videos also outline the challenging path to recovery. Additionally, lecture-style expert videos featuring Gurpartap Pannu, a de-addiction expert, provide accurate information about drug use in Punjab among youth. One period involves videos, quizzes, and interactive discussions.
BOX: School Nashiyan Virudh Curriculum: A Snapshot
Challenge: People underestimate the addictiveness of drugs and are overconfident in their ability to resist future temptation
Solution: An edutainment intervention
Aim: Changing beliefs about addiction, informing youth about the dangers of drugs through a set of persuasive, edutainment (educational and entertaining) videos
Key Elements: Edutainment videos for screening, comprehension quizzes with students following screenings, and baseline and endline assessments to measure the impact and change in belief.
Scale: 8 lakh students in Classes 9 to 12, 3,658 high and senior secondary schools, and 9,000 trained teachers
MSID:: 123041664 413 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Seer forced to quit Chamarajanagar mutt over Muslim roots
Mysuru: A 22-year-old seer was forced to quit a mutt at Gundlupet taluka in Chamarajanagar district on Sunday after a section of villagers objected to his role, citing his religious status as a Muslim prior to taking Basava Deeksha. Nijalinga Swamiji, 22, had taken 'deeksha' five years ago and was named Nijalinga Swamiji. He had joined the year-old mutt as its new seer a-month-and-a-half ago. However, he was forced to quit after his status as a Muslim before taking Basava Deeksha came to light, with some devotees alleging that he had not informed them about his religion by birth during anointment. The seer in question, though, told TOI everyone knew about his pre- 'deeksha' religion as he never hid it. Chamarajanagar SP BT Kavita said no police complaint was registered in connection with the incident. The Swamiji, who hails from Kalaburagi district, is an ardent follower of 'vachanas' and 'sharanas'. After taking 'deeksha', he was involved in the propagation of 'vachanas' across the state. "One of the devotees at the mutt approached my guru to send a seer to the mutt, and in keeping with the Guru's wish, I joined. I was involved in spreading 'vachana's in the villages," the Swamiji said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More He further told TOI: "Recently, a boy came across my Aadhaar Card details, where my pre-Basava Deeksha name was mentioned. He informed the villagers about it and a section of villagers forced me to quit the mutt." "An ardent follower of Basavanna's principles, I was hurt by the incident as I took 'deeksha' to spread the 'vachana's that preach brotherhood. I am totally cut off from my pre- 'deeksha' religion," the Swamiji said, adding: "I was forced to quit the mutt on the ground that I didn't disclose my pre-Basava Deeksha religion, but everyone knows about my pre-Basava Deeksha religion. I never hid it."
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Didn't see it, says witness, truck driver acquitted of double murder
Noida: A GB Nagar court has acquitted, Bulandshahr resident, Rajesh Kumar Sharma, the driver of a pickup truck, accused of killing two passengers in 2010 after the complainant admitted to not witnessing the incident and filing the case based on police information. A co-passenger testified that the accident occurred due to an unpreventable tire court ordered the cancellation of his bail bonds and released the sureties of their liabilities. Judge Mayank Tripathy (II) said that the prosecution failed to establish the culpability and involvement of the accused in the road accident that occurred in 2010, beyond doubt. "Only documentary evidence is not enough to prove the culpability of the accused unless it is substantiated by the witnesses' accounts and circumstantial evidence leading to the incident," the court observed, acquitting the accused of all the charges. The incident dates back to March 9, 2010, when a Tata 407 pickup truck lost balance and overturned. Two people, Kunwarpal Sharma and Kripal Singh, sitting in the driver's cabin, died on the spot. Suresh Chandra Sharma, the brother of the deceased Kunwarpal, lodged an FIR on March 12, accusing the driver of negligent driving. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Police filed a chargesheet against Sharma under sections 279 IPC (rash driving), 338 IPC (causing grievous hurt), and 304A IPC (causing death by negligence). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like a Undo The court took cognizance of the matter in May 2010 and recorded the statement of the accused on Oct 29, 2013, in which Sharma denied the charges and sought a trial. Prosecution witness 1 (PW1), Suresh, reiterated his statement that he lost his younger brother due to the negligence of the driver. However, when cross-examined by the defence, he admitted that he was not present at the accident spot. He also denied having entered into any out-of-court settlement with the accused, saying that he had already received compensation for his brother's death. PW2 Shaukin, told the court that they had asked the driver not to rush, but while reaching Pari Chowk, the tyre of the vehicle burst, and it lost balance. The prosecution declared him hostile, and during cross-examination, he said that the investigating officer never recorded his statement. Having heard both parties, the court concluded that not a single witness testified to the culpability of the driver in causing the accident deliberately or by negligence and accordingly decided to release him from all the charges.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
'I will be your champion': Krissy Barrett makes history as first female AFP commissioner; background in terror and overseas missions
Australia federal police's chief Krissy Barrett standing alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image credits: X @AlboMP) Australia federal police's (AFP) assistant commissioner Krissy Barrett will become the first woman to lead the force, earning her role as the nation's top cop, following the early retirement of former commissioner Reece Kershaw. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and home affairs minister Tony Burke announced the leadership change at a press conference in Canberra, standing alongside both Barrett and Kershaw. Barrett, currently serving as a deputy commissioner, brings significant experience in counter-terrorism and international operations. She has played key roles in deployments to the Solomon Islands and the investigation into the Bali bombings. She will become the ninth commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). 'As commissioner, I will ensure the AFP continues to keep Australians safe, protects the vulnerable, and identifies and disrupts an emerging cohort of criminals who have mixed motivations and threaten our national security,' Barrett said as quoted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 'I promise I will be your champion. I promise I will do this uniform proud for you. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman Wears Her Mothers Old Ring For 25 Years - Then Jeweller Tells Her This Marvelousa Undo And to every Australian, I will be devoted to protecting you and our way of life, and I commit to working as hard as I can every single day, like every AFP commissioner before me," she added. The AFP chief also acknowledged the support she received from Kershaw throughout her career, saying he had been a mentor to her and many others in the agency. Kershaw's contract had been extended in May last year to run until October 2026, but he recently signalled his intention to retire. He has led the AFP since his appointment by the Coalition in 2019. Home affairs minister Burke said Kershaw had expressed his decision to step down a few weeks ago. Prime Minister Albanese thanked Kershaw for his contribution, stating, 'Reece, you have achieved an enormous amount for our nation. And I hope you feel incredibly proud.' During his time as commissioner, Kershaw made child exploitation, organised crime, and drug trafficking key priorities for the AFP. His background as a child protection investigator informed much of this work. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy. He faced criticism over his handling of the Dural caravan saga, which was later exposed as a fake terror plot. In 2023, questions were raised about his relationship with a senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Mick Fuller, involving a government contract. Text messages later revealed Kershaw had more frequent interactions with Fuller than he initially disclosed to parliament. Despite these concerns, minister Burke said in July that Kershaw retained the government's 'full confidence.' This came even as accusations of racism were levelled against the Northern Territory Police, which Kershaw led prior to joining the AFP. Kershaw stepped down just weeks after the release of a coroner's report into the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage described the NT Police as having 'hallmarks of institutional racism' and found 'clear evidence of entrenched, systemic and structural racism' within the force, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
