The Buddy programme

Lakhs of students from Punjab state schools and colleges are being roped in for the Buddy programme where they will help their classmates and other youngsters wean away from drugs. The programme has been designed by the Special Task Force (STF), formed by the government to fight drugs. It was launched in Tarn Taran as a pilot project.

Highlights:

• Under the programme, students from Class 6 onwards would be taught to develop requisite behaviour skills to refuse drugs and instead focus on positive activities.
• The teachers will be trained as master trainers to guide the ‘Buddies’.
• The training material has been developed by the STF in consultation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala.
• The groups would keep the reformed youths busy in positive activities and provide them emotional support.

By: Dr. Vivek Rana