Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab's ambitious 'War against Drugs' campaign, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is emerging as more than just an anti-drug drive it is becoming a movement of recovery, rehabilitation and renewed hope.
Across the state, former drug addicts who once battled substance abuse are now rebuilding their lives through stable employment and self-reliance.
Since the launch of the campaign in March 2025, many individuals who successfully completed treatment at government de-addiction centres have secured jobs in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, retail chains, delivery services and other private establishments. Several have also chosen self-employment, marking a significant step towards social and economic reintegration.
One such beneficiary, Daljinder Singh (name changed), joined a D-Mart outlet in February 2026 after completing rehabilitation. Today, he is steadily rebuilding his life with confidence and purpose. "Getting a job gave me a reason to wake up every morning. It gave me confidence. Life feels good now—even a simple cup of tea in the morning brings a smile to my face," he said.
Another recovered individual, Praveen Dhall, who now works with a quick-commerce delivery platform, credits employment for keeping him on the path of recovery.
"Rehabilitation helped me survive, but a job helped me live again. When I started earning, I stopped seeing myself as an addict trying to recover and began seeing myself as a person with responsibilities and a future. That feeling kept me firmly away from drugs," he shared.
The campaign extends well beyond medical treatment. At the Jalandhar De-Addiction Centre, authorities regularly track recovered patients to monitor their progress and identify any signs of relapse. Follow-up assessments have shown that many beneficiaries are successfully employed, reinforcing the importance of livelihood in sustaining long-term recovery.
Counsellors associated with the programme believe that employment plays a critical role in preventing relapse and restoring self-esteem.
Bhavna Sharma, counsellor at the Swami Vivekanand Drug De-addiction Centre at Amritsar Medical College, said recovery involves much more than quitting drugs."We encourage patients to express their emotions, rebuild their lives and set goals for the future. Once they see a pathway towards employment and a stable life, they become more committed to remaining drug-free," she said.
Dr. Abhay Raj Singh, Nodal Psychiatrist at the Jalandhar De-addiction Centre under the Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative, said the success stories highlight the need to integrate de-addiction treatment with rehabilitation and employment support."Every recovering individual who returns to work represents not just a personal victory, but a stronger family and a safer community," he remarked.
As increasing numbers of beneficiaries move from treatment centres into jobs and self-employment, the success of Punjab's War against Drugs campaign is being measured not only through drug seizures and arrests but also through lives restored, livelihoods rebuilt and futures reclaimed.
