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17 Jan 2026·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
Social IssuesPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Punjab Launches 'Yudh Nashean Virudh 2.0' to Combat Drug Menace

Punjab's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh 2.0' aims to make every resident a protector.

Punjab Launches 'Yudh Nashean Virudh 2.0' to Combat Drug Menace

Photo by Brett Jordan

The Punjab government has launched the second phase of its anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashean Virudh 2.0', aiming to involve every resident in protecting their villages and communities from drug abuse. As part of this initiative, residents can report places where drugs are sold or supplied and support individuals seeking to quit drugs by guiding them to de-addiction centers. Phase I of the campaign saw significant results in 300 days, including the registration of 29,978 FIRs under the NDPS Act, 43,276 arrests, and the seizure of 30,595 kg of drugs.

Key Facts

1.

Campaign name: Yudh Nashean Virudh 2.0

2.

FIRs registered: 29,978 (Phase I)

3.

Arrests made: 43,276 (Phase I)

4.

Drugs seized: 30,595 kg (Phase I)

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Social Justice - Issues relating to health, drug abuse

2.

GS Paper III: Security - Linkages between development and spread of extremism, internal security challenges

3.

Potential question types: Analytical, statement-based, linking to constitutional provisions

Visual Insights

Yudh Nashean Virudh 1.0: Key Achievements

Key statistics from the first phase of Punjab's anti-drug campaign, highlighting the scale of the problem and the government's response.

FIRs Registered (NDPS Act)
29,978

Indicates the level of enforcement activity against drug-related offenses. A high number suggests a proactive approach but also reflects the prevalence of drug crimes.

Arrests Made
43,276

Reflects the success of law enforcement in apprehending individuals involved in drug trafficking and consumption.

Drugs Seized
30,595 kg

Shows the quantity of drugs seized, indicating the scale of drug trafficking in the state. Different types of drugs have varying impacts on society.

More Information

Background

The drug problem in Punjab has deep historical roots, linked to its geographical proximity to the Golden Crescent (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran), a major opium-producing region. The issue gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with the period of militancy in the state, which disrupted social structures and created vulnerabilities. The transit of drugs through Punjab increased due to its porous border with Pakistan.

Over time, the problem evolved from opium and heroin to include synthetic drugs, exacerbating the crisis. Government initiatives to curb drug trafficking and abuse have been ongoing for decades, but the problem persists due to complex socio-economic factors and cross-border challenges.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on demand reduction strategies alongside supply control. This includes increased investment in de-addiction and rehabilitation centers, as well as awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable populations. The use of technology, such as data analytics and surveillance, has also been ramped up to track drug trafficking networks.

Furthermore, there's a greater emphasis on inter-state coordination and collaboration with central agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to address the cross-border dimensions of the problem. The future outlook involves strengthening community-based interventions and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to drug abuse.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: 1. It provides for the constitution of a National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse. 2. It empowers the Central Government to declare any substance as a psychotropic substance. 3. Under the Act, cultivation of opium poppy is generally prohibited, except for medical and scientific purposes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three statements are correct. The NDPS Act provides for a National Fund, empowers the Central Government to declare substances as psychotropic, and regulates opium poppy cultivation.

2. Which of the following factors contribute significantly to drug trafficking in the India-Pakistan border region? 1. Porous border and difficult terrain. 2. Involvement of transnational criminal networks. 3. Socio-economic backwardness of border communities. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three factors contribute to drug trafficking. The porous border facilitates movement, transnational networks are involved in the trade, and socio-economic backwardness makes communities vulnerable.

3. Assertion (A): Drug abuse is a significant social problem in Punjab, impacting public health and economic productivity. Reason (R): Punjab's proximity to major drug-producing regions and cross-border trafficking routes exacerbates the problem. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • C.A is true, but R is false
  • D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why drug abuse is a significant problem in Punjab.

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