Buddy groups playing key role in war against drugs

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, February 22

Mansa Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Friday said 19,648 ‘buddy groups’ in the district, comprising young school and college students, were playing a pivotal role in the Punjab Government’s war against drugs.

As per a release issued here, the DC said 98,010 young buddies were part of these groups that were raising a voice against drug addiction and also educating people on the treatment and way out of the vicious addiction cycle.

Students of government, private, aided and unaided educational institutes were being covered under it. She said the students in these groups kept a vigil on each other. “If any student gets into bad company or picks bad habits, the students inform senior buddies, who take appropriate action,” the DC stated.

The DC said 2,346 senior buddies had been appointed in schools. They hold 40-minute lectures every week, talking extensively about drugs. Besides, different kinds of activities were being held to create awareness against drugs. The heads of schools and colleges were appointed as nodal officers, while class teachers were in-charge senior buddies. Similarly, 70 types of activities had been conducted in the colleges under this programme, she added.