Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant initiated the Comprehensive Youth Recovery and Rehabilitation Campaign in Punjab to address youth substance abuse. The campaign, launched in the presence of Punjab and Haryana High Court judges, will run state-wide till October 31. It aims to provide structured rehabilitation, prevent substance abuse, offer treatment access, and support social reintegration for affected youth.
A spokesperson from the Punjab State Legal Services Authority outlined the three-month mission-driven campaign. The focus is on aiding vulnerable youth, including incarcerated individuals with substance dependence, to lead healthy, drug-free lives with dignity. The campaign involves a phased approach, including institutional preparation, counselling, referrals to de-addiction centers, and post-treatment rehabilitation.
The initiative’s three-phase plan includes district mapping, identification of vulnerable areas, and individuals in the first phase. The second phase will involve counselling and referrals to de-addiction centers, ensuring confidentiality. In the final phase, post-treatment rehabilitation and follow-up will be conducted, linking recovered youth to various educational and vocational programs to prevent relapse.
A multi-sectoral network comprising the Health Department, Prison Department, education agencies, police, and community leaders will collaborate to implement the campaign. The Punjab State Legal Services Authority emphasized the campaign’s continuity beyond October, with quarterly repetitions for sustained support. They urged parents, teachers, youth groups, and healthcare professionals to join hands in creating a drug-free Punjab.
