Chandigarh, July 18
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant launched the Comprehensive Youth Recovery & Rehabilitation Campaign in Punjab, a major statewide initiative aimed at combating substance abuse among young people through treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term social reintegration.
The campaign was inaugurated in the presence of the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, along with several judges of the High Court.
A spokesperson for the Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PSLSA) said the three-month mission-mode campaign will be implemented by all District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across the state from July 18 to October 31, 2026.
The initiative seeks to help vulnerable youth overcome drug addiction by providing structured rehabilitation, improving access to treatment, preventing substance abuse, and supporting their successful reintegration into society. The campaign aims to enable affected individuals to lead healthy, productive, and drug-free lives.
Special attention will also be given to incarcerated individuals struggling with substance dependence, ensuring they receive rehabilitation and treatment with dignity.
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The campaign will be carried out in three phases:
- Phase 1 (July 18–31): Institutional preparation, capacity building, district-level mapping, and identification of vulnerable areas and individuals.
- Phase 2 (September 1–30): Voluntary counselling, family counselling, and referrals to government de-addiction centres by District Legal Services Authorities. The confidentiality of all beneficiaries will be strictly maintained.
- Phase 3 (October 1–31): Post-treatment rehabilitation and follow-up, with recovered youth being connected to schools, colleges, vocational training institutes, skill development programmes, employment exchanges, as well as sports and yoga activities to reduce the risk of relapse.
The spokesperson said the campaign will be implemented through a coordinated multi-sectoral approach involving the Health Department, Prison Department, police, education and skill development agencies, civil society organisations, and community leaders.
He further clarified that the initiative will not conclude in October. Instead, similar campaigns will be conducted every quarter to ensure sustained rehabilitation and long-term support for recovering individuals.
The Punjab State Legal Services Authority has appealed to parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, youth organisations, and the general public to actively participate in the campaign and contribute towards building a drug-free Punjab.
