Libraries are emerging as an unlikely but powerful weapon in Punjab’s battle against drug addiction. Set up in government-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, they are helping recovering addicts cope with cravings, improve mental well-being and build positive routines during recovery.
The libraries have been set up, refurbished or maintained through Punjab’s Leadership in Mental Health Programme, a fellowship that connects young professionals with the state’s anti-drug campaign. Fellows have supported library initiatives in government facilities across 10 districts so far, and there are plans to extend the programme to more than 80 per cent such centres by the end of this year.
These libraries, stocked with religious texts and books on Sikh history, literature, poetry, biographies, Punjabi culture, and mental health are helping patients with something addiction often takes away, the ability to concentrate and reflect. At the government-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Bathinda, books have become a part of the recovery process.
Reading has become a frequent activity amongst patients during their spare time as they converse with other inmates regarding stories that may reflect aspects of their own lives. "There were no books here earlier," said Soma, a counsellor at the Bathinda de-addiction centre run by the Punjab government.
“The doctor saab here took the initiative to set up the library. Once patients starts reading, their minds get diverted. Their cravings come down because they get absorbed in books. Stories, poetry and autobiographies are especially popular."
She adds, reading has become a valuable complement to regular counselling sessions. "Books help patients think differently about their lives and future. They become calmer and are willing to engage in discussions about recovery.
Reading brings back positivity in their lives," she said. The impact of libraries is visible not only in Bathinda but also at other rehabilitation centres where counsellors have observed patients developing healthier routines around reading.
Sandeep Kumari, a clinical psychologist at the Punjab government run de-addiction centre at Hoshiarpur has herself been a witness to transformation of many lives through books. She said, “We set up a library in 2016 by getting books from our own homes. Years of drug abuse that had numbed these patients from everything slowly started making efforts to come to the library.
Most of them would get hold of motivational books that helped them recover and regain focus. In fact, that’s when we found out that many of them didn’t even know as basic a thing as injections used for substance abuse could transmit HIV/AIDS.
In our library biographies, religious books, anti-drug literature is very popular. But the most popular title is Dr Narinder Singh Kapoor’s Dhoonghian Sikhraan.” Books regarding Sikhism, Sikh history, spirituality and biographies are the most popular ones.
Counsellors say many patients are attracted to stories of struggle and the subsequent success that comes through period of difficulty. After all they can relate with such stories. One patient undergoing treatment at the centre said reading had become a source of motivation.
Parminder Singh, name changed, a patient from Nathana village and currently under treatment at Bathinda de-addiction centre said, "I like reading books about Sikh history and autobiographies. When you read about people who faced hardships and still achieved something in life, it gives you strength.
I recently read the about Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and found it inspiring.” Another patient from Abbaspura, Malerkotla, Baldev Singh, said the library had helped him reconnect with a habit he had lost years ago.
“I especially enjoy books by Dr Satnam Singh Sandhu. Reading keeps my mind occupied and helps me stay focused." Counsellors say such experiences are becoming increasingly common. Patients who show a lack of interest initially often develop the habit over a period of time.
They begin with smaller and simpler books that are easy to understand. Later, they begin exchanging books, discussing what they have read and spend hours immersed in subjects ranging from religion, history, poetry, etc.
With the simple act of turning a page, many addicts under the CM Mann’s Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative are finding a way to turn a page in their own lives.