Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Punjab Trains Teachers to Detect Student Substance Use Early
Punjab is teaching schoolteachers how to notice when students may be facing substance-use problems.
Medical experts are showing teachers what warning signs to look for.
These signs can include changes in behaviour, emotions, attention or friendships.
Teachers are being told not to shame or punish children they are concerned about.
Instead, they should speak with them privately and kindly.
They can then ask counsellors or other professionals for help.
The training started in districts near Punjab’s border, where drug use is considered a serious concern.
Officials say the programme will eventually cover the whole state.
Punjab government-school teachers are receiving training to identify early signs of substance use among students.
Experts from Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, are conducting the training under the Aam Aadmi Party’s ‘Yuddh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign.
The programme began in border districts, including Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot, before expanding across Punjab.
Teachers are being taught to use private, non-judgmental conversations and refer students for counselling rather than reprimanding them.
A survey of more than 2,800 Amritsar teachers found increased confidence and greater recognition of substance use as a psychosocial and health concern.
- Who
- Government-school teachers in Punjab are being trained by experts from Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, with support from education officials.
- What
- A teacher-awareness programme is training educators to detect possible student substance use early and connect children with counselling and treatment.
- When
- The programme is ongoing; it began in Amritsar and has reached several border districts, with training commencing in Pathankot this week.
- Where
- The training is being conducted across Punjab, beginning with border districts including Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
- Why
- The programme aims to support early intervention and address substance use as a psychosocial and health concern rather than solely as misconduct.
- Programme name
- Teacher Awareness Building Programme for Student Mental Health and Substance Use: Strengthening School Ecosystems in Punjab
- Training provider
- Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali
- Amritsar reach
- More than 2,800 teachers from high and senior secondary schools
- Teacher motivation
- 76% of surveyed teachers felt motivated to help build healthier and more supportive schools
- Teacher confidence
- 60% reported confidence in responding appropriately to suspected student substance use
- Psychosocial understanding
- 86% recognised links between adolescent substance use and stress, peer influence, emotional challenges and adverse social environments
- Funding
- Rs 4.60 lakh per district through the Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyan and National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction