The Punjab Government today started an extensive Drug and Socio Economic Census, with 28,000 employees asked to conduct the survey of 65 lakh families in the state.Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the survey was being conducted to know the extent of drug problem and also assess affected people’s income and socio-economic status, including their education. “The idea is to understand the drug problem and then make targeted policies which will have better outcomes,” he said.This survey is expected to be completed in three months. A sum of Rs 150 crore has been allocated for the purpose for the 2026-27 financial year. Official sources say that the data collected in the census would help them frame better rehabilitation policy for drug addicts. Till now, the focus of the government was on enforcement and this survey marks the shift towards rehabilitation of drug addicts.The state government hopes to find not just the extent of drug abuse in the state, but also the substances used by the addicts and their age, education and socio-economic status.A pilot study has already been conducted in 11 villages. Officials say that people have been very forthcoming about revealing information, in the hope that it will help eradicate the drug menace.