Police mandate anti-drug panels in all educational institutions

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad city police issued a notification mandating all educational institutions to constitute anti-drug committees (ADC) to help curb the drug menace and also protect the increasingly vulnerable youngsters from educational institutions from the vices.

The ADCs, comprising a minimum of five members drawn from faculty and students, is assigned with the task to prevent drug abuse by equipping young people with life skills, enabling them to deal with different situations without turning to drugs and developing the ability to resist peer pressure to use drugs.

"Lack of supervision by parents and peer influence often make young people get addicted to substances. Once entangled, it caused unbearable distress to their families and the public large," said police commissioner C.V. Anand.

The ADCs are also entrusted with the task of creating awareness on the dangers of drug abuse through various digital campaigns, workshops and seminars to ensure that campuses are free from the scourge of narcotic substances.

"The prevention programmes and their outcomes will be evaluated regularly. Fostering partnership between home, school and official agencies will strengthen the fight against the illicit trade," Anand said.