Chandigarh: Punjab is training government school teachers to identify early warning signs of substance use and mental-health concerns among students, with experts from Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, conducting the sessions.
The initiative, being implemented under the state’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, focuses on helping teachers recognise behavioural and emotional changes, engage students without judgement and facilitate counselling or further support where required. The programme is being rolled out in phases, with initial attention given to districts along Punjab’s border belt.
Teachers Trained to Recognise Warning Signs
The programme is titled “Teacher Awareness Building Programme for Student Mental Health and Substance Use: Strengthening School Ecosystems in Punjab.”
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Experts are training teachers to:
- Identify early behavioural and emotional changes that may indicate distress or substance use.
- Speak privately with students in a non-judgmental manner.
- Refer students to counsellors or appropriate services when required.
- Create emotionally safe and inclusive classroom environments.
- Conduct awareness and prevention discussions on substance use.
The programme’s approach treats substance use as a psychosocial and health concern rather than solely a disciplinary issue, according to the training material prepared by AIMS, Mohali.
Border Districts Among First to Receive Training
The training began with districts including Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur, and has subsequently expanded to Pathankot. A broader phased rollout is planned across Punjab.
A state-level expansion announced earlier covers 21,850 teachers across 12 districts, including Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot, Mohali, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana and Patiala.
The programme builds on earlier teacher and school-head training initiatives. A pilot conducted in Amritsar involved more than 2,800 teachers.
Training Seeks Shift From Punishment to Early Support
Dr Balwinder Singh Saini, Assistant Director at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Punjab, said teachers are being trained to support students rather than reprimand or humiliate them when substance use is suspected.
“Teachers are the frontline communicators with children, especially teens.”
The programme materials emphasise that behaviours such as aggression, withdrawal, inattentiveness and irritability can sometimes be associated with emotional distress or vulnerability to substance use and should not automatically be treated as indiscipline.
The training also covers factors such as mental health, peer influence, family environment and other circumstances associated with substance use.
Amritsar Pilot Reports Change in Teacher Responses
A feedback assessment following the Amritsar pilot found changes in teachers’ understanding and confidence.
According to the assessment cited by the education department:
- 76% of teachers said they felt motivated to contribute to a healthier and more supportive school environment.
- 60% reported greater confidence in responding appropriately to suspected substance use.
- 86% acknowledged links between adolescent substance use and factors including stress, peer influence, emotional challenges and adverse social environments.
The assessment also recorded a shift towards a more recovery-oriented approach, with greater emphasis on empathy, support and the possibility of positive change.
Programme Supported Under Drug Demand Reduction Schemes
The training is being supported through funds under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) and the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
The Centre’s NAPDDR framework includes preventive education, awareness generation, identification, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and capacity building. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also developed Navchetna modules for life skills and drug education among schoolchildren.
Punjab Education Secretary Sonali Giri said student privacy would be maintained during the intervention.
“No child will be identified publicly. Training will only help teachers in seeking further help if any such student is detected.”
The state plans to expand the teacher-sensitisation programme across districts in phases.
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