Chandigarh: The ‘Yudh Nashean Viruddh’ campaign under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is now being recognized by the inspiring stories of recovery and new hope in the lives of drug addicts through employment opportunities. People who were once struggling to get out of the grip of drug addiction are today working in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, establishments like D-Mart, Blinkit or are getting their lives back on track through self-employment.
Success of ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign
Since the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign started in the state in March 2025, many people who have completed treatment in various de-addiction and rehabilitation centers of Punjab have got employment. This is proof that livelihood opportunities play an important role in recovery and a drug-free life.
One of them is Daljinder Singh (name changed), who started working in D-Mart in February 2026. He has accepted the responsibilities of employment positively and is slowly rebuilding his life. Daljinder says, “Getting the job gave me a reason to get up every morning. It boosted my confidence. Life feels good now… even a cup of tea in the morning brings a smile to my face.”
Praveen Dhall, who works in a delivery service of groceries, fruits, vegetables and other daily essentials, says, “Rehabilitation helped me survive, but the job taught me to live again. When I started earning, I started seeing myself not just as a person trying to quit drug addiction, but as a responsible and future-thinking person. This feeling made me stay away from drugs. Gave strength.”
‘War against drugs’ is not limited to rehabilitation only, but continues to support people even after this. An example of this can be seen at the Jalandhar De-addiction Centre, where former drug addicts who have returned to the mainstream are regularly monitored to assess their progress and detect any signs of relapse.
During follow-up, it was found that many recovered people had joined employment, which is an important step towards reintegration into their family and economic lives. As more beneficiaries move out of treatment centers and into employment and self-employment, the impact of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s ‘Yudh Nashean Viruddh’ campaign is now being measured not just in arrests and drug seizures, but in restored lives and new employment opportunities.
Counselors, who have played a vital role in helping drug addicts get out of the trap, believe that the transition from treatment to employment is one of the strongest indicators of successful rehabilitation.
Bhavana Sharma, counselor at Swami Vivekananda De-addiction Centre, Amritsar Medical College, said, “Recovery is not just about quitting drugs. We motivate patients to express their feelings, reorganize their lives and set goals for the future. When they start looking towards employment and a stable life, they become more committed to staying drug-free.”
Dr. Abhay Raj Singh, nodal psychiatrist, Jalandhar Nasha De-addiction Kendra under ‘Yudh Nashean Viruddh’, said, “Such success stories show how important it is to link de-addiction treatment with rehabilitation and employment support. Every healthy person returning to work is not only a personal victory, but also a symbol of a stronger family and a more secure society."
As more beneficiaries move out of treatment centers and into employment and self-employment, the impact of the campaign is now being measured not just in arrests and seizures, but in people finding new leases of life, new employment opportunities and brighter futures.
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