CJI launches youth recovery, rehabilitation campaign in Punjab
Chandigarh, July 18
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday launched the Comprehensive Youth Recovery and Rehabilitation Campaign in Punjab, a state‑wide initiative aimed at tackling substance abuse among youth.
The campaign was inaugurated in the presence of the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and other High Court judges. A spokesperson for the Punjab State Legal Services Authority said the three‑month drive will be run in mission mode by all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) till October 31.
He said the objective of the campaign is to support vulnerable youth through structured rehabilitation, prevent substance abuse, ensure access to treatment and facilitate long‑term social reintegration so that affected individuals can lead healthy and drug‑free lives. Special focus will be given to incarcerated persons suffering from substance dependence to help them overcome addiction with dignity.
For this initiative, a three‑phase plan has been designed. In Phase One, from July 18 to 31, there will be institutional preparation, capacity building, district mapping and identification of vulnerable areas and individuals.
In Phase Two, from September 1 to 30, voluntary counselling, family counselling and referrals to government de‑addiction centres will be carried out by DLSAs, with confidentiality of beneficiaries maintained.
In Phase Three, from October 1 to 31, post‑treatment rehabilitation and follow‑up will be undertaken. Recovered youth will be linked with schools, colleges, vocational training, skill development, employment exchanges and sports and yoga programmes to prevent relapse.
The spokesperson said a multi‑sectoral network involving the Health Department, Prison Department, education and skill development agencies, police, civil society and community leaders will implement the campaign. He added that the drive will not end in October and will be repeated every quarter for long‑term support.
The Punjab State Legal Services Authority appealed to parents, teachers, youth groups and healthcare professionals to join the effort to build a drug‑free Punjab.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, the judiciary is stepping in. The drug problem in Punjab is so deep-rooted, it will take years to fix. But a structured three-phase plan is a good start. I'm particularly glad they are focusing on incarcerated individuals too 🙏
Great initiative but let's be honest – merely running a campaign for three months won't solve anything if there is no strict enforcement against the suppliers and peddlers. The real culprits are the drug mafia, and unless they are dealt with firmly, demand will always exist.
As a teacher in a Punjab government school, I can tell you this is badly needed. Many of my students come from families where addiction is normalised. The counselling and family intervention part is crucial – you can't treat the child without treating the home environment.
I'm an NRI from Punjab living in Canada. This is a positive step that I hope gets sustained funding and political will. The emphasis on vocational training and sports is smart – idle youth are vulnerable youth. Let's see how the quarterly follow-ups work in practice.
Honestly, I am a bit skeptical. We have seen so many 'campaigns' and 'drives' before that fizzle out after the photo ops. But I genuinely hope this one works. The fact that the CJI himself launched it gives me some hope. 🙏
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