– Ronita Torcato 

Maharashtra will introduce dedicated anti-drug curricula in schools from Class 5 beginning in the 2027 academic year.

The curriculum was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recently.

Under the new mandate, schools will receive extra evaluation marks for participating in state campaigns such as Mukhyamantri Majhi Shala, and Sundar Shala (Chief Minister’s My School, Beautiful School – Phase 3 programme).

The Higher and Technical Education Department will enforce 500-metre “Drug-Free Zones” around college and university campuses, with institution heads and teachers required to report narcotics or tobacco sales to police.

Higher educational institutions will introduce voluntary, confidential urine drug screenings as part of student wellness programmes. Results will remain anonymous and be used for counselling, not disciplinary or academic penalties.

The government’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some experts questioning whether younger students are ready for such messages.

“I think starting from Class 7 is okay,” notes Dr. Kranti Farias, an award winning educator and author. “Better not talk to the younger ones about what they don’t know yet!”

Citizen activist Aadil Desai suggests that traditional textbooks might not be the most effective medium for addressing drug prevention at an early age.

“It needs to be done orally at a personal level in behavioural therapy practical sessions. Class 5 may be a bit too early for such lessons—maybe from Class 7 would be more appropriate.”

For some educators, curriculum changes are welcome, but only if accompanied by support systems.

Science educator Anju Rao notes that “while the initiative is commendable, care must be taken so that it doesn’t add to the pressure already faced by students.”

Others emphasize that curriculum changes must be accompanied by mental health support and law enforcement around educational premises.

“It’s a good step, but it also needs the presence of a good counsellor in each school to prevent children from taking to drugs if they are in a disturbed state of mind,” says theatre professional and educator Veera Abadan.

“It must also ensure that there are no peddlers hanging around the institution, inducing children to try drugs.”

It may be noted that the ‘1933’ Manas helpline was started by the central government for the rehabilitation of drug-addicted youth. Agreements have also been signed with 46 countries for international cooperation in the fight against drugs.

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), launched in 2020, promotes youth and women’s participation through educational institutions and youth clubs. Each selected district in Maharashtra will receive a Rs. 10 lakh central grant, while helpline 14446 provides de-addiction support.

Addressing the press in Panaji, Goa, on September 6, Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah said the government will train 100,000 ‘Nashamukti Mitra’ (Drug-Free India Ambassadors) through NCC, NSS and Mera Yuva Bharat. He said the ministries of home, education, social justice and empowerment, and youth affairs and sports will work with educational institutions in “mission mode” to achieve the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029), which aims to eliminate substance abuse across schools and higher education institutions by March 2029.

To attain this target, the Maharashtra government has rolled out a multi-departmental strategy in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) that covers awareness, enforcement and accountability and treatment and rehabilitation.

The Maharashtra government will also award handsome cash prizes.To incentivize participation, officials will evaluate district-level performances annually between October 2, 2026 and April 30, 2027 declaring the “Best Drug-Free District” awards on June 26—the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

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