Home / Education / Punjab Teachers Train to Spot Early Signs of Drug Use
Punjab Teachers Train to Spot Early Signs of Drug Use
22 Sep
Summary
- Teachers are receiving specialized training to identify students struggling with substance use.
- The program aims to foster supportive environments for early intervention and counseling.
- Pilot surveys indicate teachers feel more confident in addressing student behavioral changes.
Government school teachers in Punjab are receiving specialized training to identify and support students grappling with drug addiction and substance use. This initiative is part of the AAP's 'Yuddh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign, with experts from Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, leading the training.
The program, titled "Teacher Awareness Building Programme for Student Mental Health and Substance Use: Strengthening School Ecosystems in Punjab," recognizes schools as vital platforms for prevention and early intervention. Teachers are being trained to engage with students non-judgmentally, identify warning signs like behavioral changes, and refer them to counselors, promoting emotionally safe classrooms.
Focus is initially placed on teachers in border districts, including Amritsar, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot, due to the region's drug problem severity. A pilot survey in Amritsar found over 2800 teachers reported increased motivation and confidence in addressing substance use concerns.
Teachers demonstrated a marked shift in interpreting student behavior, now viewing aggression or withdrawal as potential indicators of distress rather than indiscipline. The training emphasizes empathy and a recovery-oriented perspective, viewing substance use as a psychosocial and health issue, not merely a moral failing. This initiative is supported by funds from the Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyan.
