For years, Punjab’s battle against drugs has been fought on the frontlines of law enforcement — against smugglers, illegal networks and supply chains. But a deeper battle has always remained hidden: the battle taking place inside the minds of those trapped in addiction.
Now, Punjab is attempting to rewrite the approach to its drug crisis by putting mental health and rehabilitation at the centre of its strategy.
Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP)
With the launch of India’s first fellowship dedicated to substance abuse — the Leadership in Mental Health Programme (LMHP) — the state is acknowledging a crucial reality: addiction is not just a crime to be controlled, but a health challenge that requires empathy, treatment and long-term support.
Under the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative, the first cohort of 13 LMHP fellows is already working across Punjab, strengthening mental healthcare services and bringing a community-based approach to the fight against drugs.
The missing link in Punjab’s drug battle: Mental Healthcare
For decades, addiction has often been surrounded by shame and silence. Families hesitate to seek help, while individuals struggling with substance abuse are frequently viewed only through the lens of wrongdoing.
But addiction is far more complex.
It is linked with emotional struggles, social pressures, trauma and mental health challenges. Treating only the addiction without addressing the reasons behind it can leave people vulnerable to relapse.
This is where Punjab’s new approach becomes significant — moving from merely controlling the problem to understanding and healing it.
From rehabilitation centres to real-life recovery
The role of LMHP fellows extends beyond counselling rooms. Working across district hospitals and de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, these young mental health professionals are helping patients reconnect with their families, access treatment and rebuild their lives.
Their work focuses on relapse prevention, family counselling, community engagement and reducing the stigma around seeking mental health support.
The idea is simple but powerful — recovery does not end when a person leaves a rehabilitation centre. It continues through emotional support, social acceptance and a strong community network.
Building Punjab’s mental health army
The programme, operating under the Department of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the state’s Data Intelligence and Technical Support Unit, aims to create a network of trained mental health leaders across all 23 districts.
With applications planned for the second cohort, including 10 fellows and seven Senior Associates, Punjab is looking to expand this mental health workforce and strengthen its fight against substance abuse.
The fellows, selected through a rigorous process, receive specialised training in psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, programme management, community-based rehabilitation and leadership skills with support from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.
A shift from fear to hope
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that the fight against drugs cannot succeed through enforcement alone. While action against drug traffickers remains essential, saving those already affected requires a healthcare-driven approach.
This marks an important shift in how society views addiction — not as the end of a person’s story, but as a condition from which recovery is possible.
The real victory against drugs
The success of Punjab’s anti-drug campaign will not only be measured by the number of cases registered or networks dismantled. The bigger victory will be seen in the number of lives rebuilt, families reunited and young people protected from addiction.
The drug crisis is not just about substances; it is about people.
Punjab’s decision to place mental health at the heart of its drug-fighting strategy sends a powerful message — defeating addiction requires more than breaking supply chains. It requires healing wounds, restoring hope and giving people a second chance.
Because the strongest fight against drugs begins not on the streets, but within the human mind.
