Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Thursday underscored the need to incorporate awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse into school and college curricula, saying that adolescents and young people must be educated about the dangers of addiction at an early stage.

Chairing a review meeting of the state’s Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department on 25 June, the Chief Minister said a coordinated effort involving all concerned departments was essential to strengthen the ongoing de-addiction campaign across the state.

CM Dr Yadav also highlighted the importance of making all government buildings barrier-free to ensure smooth mobility and accessibility for persons with disabilities. He stressed that school-level education should include content aimed at fostering sensitivity and awareness towards disability among children from an early age.

Anti-drug education must begin early, says CM

Expressing concern over the growing impact of substance abuse on young minds, CM Dr Yadav said students should be made aware of the long-term physical, psychological and social consequences of addiction before they become vulnerable to it.

To create a strong anti-drug environment in society, he directed officials to include awareness-focused educational material on substance abuse in school and higher education curricula. The move, he said, would help build informed and responsible communities while discouraging the use of intoxicants among youth.

Focus laid on employment and welfare of persons with disabilities

Thereafter, CM Dr Yadav also called for initiatives aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the private sector. He directed authorities to organise skill development and capacity-building programmes tailored to the abilities and strengths of differently-abled individuals.

The Chief Minister further suggested the preparation of a comprehensive action plan to utilise donations and material offerings received at major religious sites across the state. Such resources, he said, could be channelled towards feeding destitute individuals, supporting beggars and funding other welfare-oriented activities at the local level.

Assistive devices worth Rs 6.52 cr distributed

During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that under the Chief Minister Seva Pakhwada Campaign 2025, artificial limbs and assistive devices worth ₹6.52 crore had been distributed to persons with disabilities across Madhya Pradesh.

The review also revealed that 168 smart classrooms have been established in special schools catering to students with disabilities. Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, nearly 12,000 volunteers have been mobilised to spread awareness about the adverse effects of substance abuse among the public.

To promote self-reliance and employment among persons with disabilities, the department has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with award-winning institutions recognised by the Government of India. Through these collaborations, 12 persons with disabilities have already secured employment opportunities.

Additionally, 54 participants have received caregiver training to strengthen support systems for senior citizens. The Chief Minister concluded the meeting by conducting a detailed review of the progress of various schemes being implemented by the department.