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) for 2026-27 to strengthen drug prevention and rehabilitation efforts across the state.
The proposed action plan includes drug prevention initiatives, awareness campaigns, life skills education, counselling services, de-addiction measures, and rehabilitation programmes.
Kaur, who holds the Social Security, Women and Child Development portfolio, chaired a meeting with senior officials from various departments in Chandigarh to finalise the state action plans for 2026-27 under the NAPDDR and the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
According to an official statement, 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 in the state.
She said the government’s approach goes beyond strict action against drug traffickers and places equal emphasis on prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and the social reintegration of affected individuals.
The minister said the government will strengthen awareness campaigns at schools, colleges and community levels to prevent young people from falling prey to substance abuse.
She added that the state will promote sports, cultural activities and youth engagement programmes to channelise the energy of young people towards positive and productive pursuits.
Kaur said specialised capacity-building programmes will be organised for teachers, counsellors, healthcare professionals, police personnel and other frontline workers to enhance their ability to identify and effectively address drug-related challenges.
On rehabilitation, she said the government will expand counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, skill development and employment-oriented training opportunities for drug-affected individuals to facilitate their dignified reintegration into society.
She added that the government will give special attention to vulnerable groups, including women and children.
During the meeting, Kaur also reviewed the proposed state action plan under the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens.
She reiterated that the Punjab government remains fully committed to ensuring a dignified, secure and healthy life for senior citizens across the state.
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