Jaago punjab which means ‘Wake up Punjab’ is a youth based website that helps raise awareness about the drug abuse in Punjab, India. It is estimated by officials that around 50% of the youths are already addicted to drugs.
Determined to do something, I decided to utilize the ‘power’ of technology to change this horrific situation. Through this website, I hope to educate youths about drugs, its dangers and how can we prevent it’s consumption. In addition to that, the website has also set up three creative programs such as ‘Drug Awareness Project’, ‘Drug Awareness Coordinator’ and ‘Jaago Punjab Youth Magazine’.

The Goals of this project are:
Educating youths about drug abuse and making them aware of the problem
Give youths a platform to express their views and opinions and be creative through our Jaago Punjab Youth Magazine (JPYM) and “Get Involved!” section. What can they do about it.
Improving and giving an uplift to the image of Punjab that it badly needs now!
Enlightening the youths about the usage of Information Technology by creating the “Drug Awareness Project”- Six power point interactive presentation that highlights the damages of drugs (mentally & physically) and prevention techniques to be used in schools.
The motto of this project is to “Empower. Engage.

Problema

“State officials estimate more than 50 percent of the population between 18 and 35 are using drugs illegally - including anything from heroin to abusing prescription drugs. (CNN News, May 2011). Furthermore, “Rehabilitation system for the addicts is in shambles and prisons have become a safe haven to drug junkies.” - Youth Ki Awaaz (Mouthpiece for the Youth). We do not have youth oriented rehabilitation centers. There are not many drug awareness programs in schools and universities. With so many youths getting into this disease; something NEEDS to be done about it. Sadly for youths, drug has become a need not a want. They cannot live without it.

Solución

I wanted to empower the youth. Bring them out of this mess! Make them aware. Jaago Punjab means ‘Wake up Punjab!’. I want them to wake up from this brutal sleep and lie that they have been living for years. The Goals of this project are: Educating youths about drug abuse and making them aware of the problem Give youths a platform to express their views and opinions and be creative through our Jaago Punjab Youth Magazine (JPYM) and “Get Involved!” section. What can they do about it. Improving and giving an uplift to the image of Punjab that it badly needs now! Enlightening the youths about the usage of Information Technology by creating the “Drug Awareness Project”- Six power point interactive presentation that highlights the damages of drugs (mentally & physically) and prevention techniques to be used in schools. The motto of this project is to “Empower. Engage. Take Action!” I want the youth to engage in their community and take action NOW. They are are main pillars that contribute to the growth of our economy.

Ejemplo

The Drug Awareness Project is a six week intensive course that illustrates the damages of drugs and how we can prevent it. We go into a lot of detail oriented topics related to drugs that would help students in the longer run. My presentations are very realistic as I put in information and data from the United Nations crime and drug office. I also put information on how to deal with strangers and what kind of educational model can school approach to educate students on drug abuse and prevention. My main aim for the Drug Awareness Project is to collaborate with schools and showcase these presentations there. The second kind of program is the Drug Awareness Coordinator (DAP -C) The Dap Coordinator is in charge of the DAP in their respective schools. Their role is to organize various events such as drama and theatre arts programs and sports competition. A DAP Coordinator can also start a Jaago Punjab Drug Awareness Club at their schools and appoint vice presidents, events coordinator and much more. Our third and largest program is the Youth Magazine. The youth magazine is by the youth and for the youth. The Jaago Punjab Youth Magazine was created to give youths a platform for expressing their views and opinions. It is by the youths and for the youths. The youth magazine allows youths to write on what they feel about drugs and how should we raise an awareness about it. This is the FIRST YOUTH magazine in Punjab about drug awareness. We ask youths to write articles, send their artwork and even interview social activists who have been working on this issue for quite some time. Our main aim for the youth magazine is the 3E’s - Educate, empower and encourage youths to write. I am also planning to start an ‘internship funding program’ where organizations can fund my website and I will be able to create drug awareness online internships where interns can receive a stipend. I want to create more opportunities for youths in this state. I want to employ them for my website and encourage them to design solutions for villages who are already into drugs. We need to train them as well. I am planning to set up a massive training centre where we can train coordinators and ask them to work in villages and educate them about drugs.

Mercado

Here when I am talking about sustainability of my ‘non-profit-making’ business, I am talking about the COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE! The website’s main competitive advantage is that this is the FIRST youth oriented and even the first website which raises awareness about drug abuse in Punjab. It is even the first website where youths from all over the Punjab would come and contribute towards a creative magazine AND the very first website where we will have coordinators and volunteers! It’s very exciting but challenging at the same time.