By Educating Children About The Harmful Effects Of Drugs, Punjab's Buddy Programme Aims To Protect Their Future

With a mission to fight against drug abuse in the state, the government of Punjab has been running a first-of-its-kind initiative called the Buddy Programme. The Buddy programme aims to educate children about the ill-effects of drug abuse and generate positive peer influence. Educational institutions in Punjab have formed buddy groups to make youngsters aware about drug addiction. Launched by the state government on August 15, 2018, today there are over seven lakh buddy groups and more than 37 lakh children and young adults who are part of this programme.  

This programme is key to Punjab's fight against drugs as it covers the adolescent age group and young adults between 18 to 25 years who are the most vulnerable group of people as far as drug usage is concerned.  

On the prevention front, students through the buddy programme develop knowledge, the right attitude and behaviour along with skills to prevent drug abuse. Schools and colleges have buddy groups which start from class 6th and go all the way to college. The aim is to ensure awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among the youth. Rishika Thakur, a Buddy Leader said,

I have learnt a lot in this buddy program as we are aware that the issue of drugs is a big challenge in our state so now we are more aware. In fact, this programme isn't just in our school, we take the learnings from here back to our family and neighbourhood.

One of Mohali's biggest schools, the Government model senior secondary school has over 2,300 students and about 420 buddy groups. Dr Ginni Duggal, Principal, Govt model senior secondary school phase 3b 1, Mohali said,

Through this program, we are trying to sensitise children and all who form buddy groups, which is a 5 student group. It's a buddy group with a leader so he tries to sensitise other students on how to combat drugs and he tries to assess the situation whether a student is taking the drug or one of the relatives is taking the drugs, so all these things we are covering in the buddy program.

What started as an initiative to battle against drugs has now become a holistic programme that helps youngsters in other areas of their lives as well.  Khushi, grade 12 student shared,

Now I can discuss many things with my buddy group, we confide in each other about our family problems also.

This unique initiative is focussing to battle against drug abuse; one in which school teachers, nodal officers and parents act as buddies showing children the right way to a healthy and happy, drug-free life.