The government and administration in Punjab have been continuously running campaigns to address the problem of drugs. Along with efforts to curb the supply of drugs, awareness campaigns, camps and other initiatives are being organised to keep young people away from addiction. At the same time, panchayats and residents in several villages are also taking initiatives at their own level to tackle the problem.
Chunagra village in Patiala district has come into focus for one such initiative. The village panchayat has passed a resolution aimed at stopping the sale of drugs, while efforts are being made to connect young people with sports, gym activities and other healthy pursuits to keep them away from addiction. Villagers say that compared with the past, the situation regarding drugs has changed considerably.
With a population of more than 2,500 people, Chunagra is spread over an area of approximately two square kilometres. The village has around 635 households, and most families depend on agriculture and labour for their livelihood. The village is now making a collective effort to safeguard the future of its younger generation, with the panchayat, residents and young people all playing a role.
Panchayat Resolution to Stop the Sale of Drugs
An important part of Chunagra’s anti-drug initiative is the resolution passed by the village panchayat.
According to panchayat member Sukhpal Begum, the drug problem in the village was much more serious in the past, but the situation has changed significantly following efforts by the panchayat and local residents.
Through the resolution, the panchayat has sought to prevent the sale of drugs in the village and has asked residents to support it in this effort. At the same time, emphasis is also being placed on continuously educating young people about staying away from drugs.
Sukhpal Begum says that while speaking to young people, they are told not only about the harmful effects of drugs on the body but also about the impact addiction has on the entire family.
According to her, parents work throughout their lives to raise their children, and when a young person falls into addiction, the suffering is borne by the entire family.
The panchayat therefore appeals to young people to stay away from drugs while keeping in mind the hard work of their parents and the expectations their families have from them.
Connecting Young People with Sports and the Gym
In any campaign against drugs, simply imposing restrictions is not enough. It is equally important to provide young people with alternatives that allow them to channel their energy in a positive direction. Chunagra is also working on this aspect.
The village has a gym where young people come to exercise in the mornings and evenings.
Football, kabaddi and cricket are also played on the village school ground. Efforts are being made to involve more young people in these sports so that their energy can be directed towards healthy activities.
According to village resident Mahinder Singh, participation by young people in gym and sports-related activities has increased.
He believes that connecting youngsters with playgrounds and physical activities is an important part of the effort to keep them away from drugs.
The initiative is not limited merely to keeping young people occupied during their free time. It also helps develop awareness about health.
Gym workouts, sports and physical exercise encourage young people to focus on their health and future.
Village Youth Remain Connected with Agriculture
Most families in Chunagra depend on agriculture and labour for their livelihood. As a result, many of the village’s young people are also involved in agricultural work.
According to Sarpreet Singh, a young resident of the village, a significant section of Chunagra’s youth remains connected with farming.
Vegetables, paddy, sugarcane and other crops are cultivated in the village, and young people also contribute to agricultural work.
He says that today’s younger generation is also paying greater attention to physical fitness and health. Alongside gyms and sports, village youth continue to remain associated with their traditional occupation of agriculture.
It has also been reported that around 20 young people from the village have joined the armed forces.
These young men have become a source of inspiration for other children and youngsters in the village. Seeing someone from their own village joining the armed forces to serve the country encourages others to aspire to move forward in life as well.
Community Bonding Also Supports the Youth
According to Chunagra’s young residents, the strong sense of community among villagers is another important element of this environment.
People participate in one another’s joys and sorrows, and there is a strong culture of cooperation among families.
Sarpreet Singh says that residents share close social ties and families remain connected with one another.
According to him, the village has a tradition of celebrating festivals collectively and standing by one another during both happy and difficult times.
Such an environment also helps young people remain connected to their families and their village.
When people in a community begin treating one another’s problems as their own and work together to find solutions, the fight against social problems such as drug addiction also becomes stronger.
Door-to-Door Drug Survey Conducted
A door-to-door drug survey was also conducted in the village to gather information about the prevalence of drug use. According to village ASHA worker Amritpal Kaur, during the survey they visited households and spoke directly with residents about drug use.
She said that the survey did not identify any household in which a person was reported to be using drugs. Based on the findings of her survey, she described the village as drug-free.
According to Amritpal Kaur, anti-drug campaigns, checking drives and the cooperation of the panchayat have also had an impact. She said the situation concerning drugs in the village has changed compared with the past.
The initiative also highlights the role of health workers in the fight against drugs. Going door to door, collecting information and interacting directly with residents has become one way of understanding the situation at the village level.
Awareness Rallies and Continued Efforts by the Panchayat
Drug awareness efforts in Chunagra are not limited to the resolution passed by the panchayat. Rallies and other awareness activities are also organised in the village from time to time.
According to Mahinder Singh, the panchayat has been making sustained efforts on the issue. He says that if any information emerges about the sale or consumption of drugs in the village, it should be reported to the panchayat or the concerned authorities so that appropriate action can be taken.
He also believes that the drug problem cannot be completely eliminated through village-level efforts alone. Government agencies, panchayats and ordinary citizens will have to work together.
A Collective Effort Is Needed to Protect the Youth
Chunagra’s initiative shows that preventing drug abuse cannot be limited to taking action against those selling drugs. Creating a healthy and supportive environment for young people is equally important.
On the one hand, the panchayat has passed a resolution to curb the sale of drugs. On the other, young people are being encouraged to participate in sports and gym activities. Families are counselling their children to stay away from drugs, while villagers are collectively participating in awareness activities.
According to Sarpreet Singh, young people should connect themselves with sports and the land to build a better life. His message is that if Punjab’s youth are to be protected, they need to be connected with their future rather than with drugs.
It is this thinking that takes Chunagra’s initiative beyond a conventional anti-drug campaign. The objective is not merely to keep drugs out of the village, but also to create an environment in which young people can channel their energy into sports, education, agriculture, employment or other constructive activities.
As the country celebrates Independence Day on August 15, there is also a need to connect the meaning of freedom with the challenges of our times. Freedom from drugs is one such imperative.
Chunagra’s initiative demonstrates that when the village panchayat, residents, families and young people work in the same direction, they can create a strong community environment to confront a social problem as serious as drug abuse.
The real success of this initiative will lie in sustaining these efforts and continuing to provide young people with opportunities and a positive direction.
This Independence Day, the message of freedom should not remain limited to the country’s political independence. For the youth of Punjab, it should also carry another aspiration:
Freedom from drugs.
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