Punjab launches ‘Youth of Punjab’ campaign to combat drug abuse

In a bid to curb drug abuse in the state, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Union Government) has initiated a campaign to urge youth to engage in sports. The campaign, called ‘Youth of Punjab’, was conceived by Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, a national member of the central body and is set to launch on January 11 during an event at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

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The inaugural event would be chaired by Governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria, along with three ministers from the Union Government.

Bindra expressed gratitude to senior officials in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for supporting the initiative, recognising the urgent need to address the growing issue of drug abuse and its impact on law and order in the state. He stated, “We have completed a draft plan to encourage the youth in over 12,500 villages and around 100 urban areas to adopt sportsmanship as part of their lifestyle. This would include distributing sports kits to sports clubs and educational institutions across the state.”

Bindra emphasised active participation in sports would provide a positive outlet for the youth, helping them to distance themselves from drugs and psychotropic substances.

He also urged office-bearers and activists from social, educational and constitutional organisations to collaborate with the National Institute of Social Defense (NISD). The NISD is currently focusing on a range of social defines programmes, including drug abuse prevention, welfare of senior citizens and transgender people, beggary prevention and other community welfare issues.

The ‘Youth of Punjab’ campaign is seen as a significant step toward engaging the youth in healthy activities and preventing the spread of drug abuse in the state.