New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- The Punjab government has launched a phased teacher training programme across 12 districts to help educators identify early signs of mental health concerns and vulnerability to drug abuse among students, according to a government press release issued on Tuesday.

More than 21,850 teachers are expected to undergo the training under the state's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' anti-drug campaign. The programme will be conducted through more than 500 one-day awareness and capacity-building batches beginning August 2026.

The first sessions were held in Fazilka and Tarn Taran last week, with more than 800 teachers taking part, the government said. The programme will be expanded to Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib,...