Kerala: Project to stop substance abuse among students

KOCHI: With children increasingly involving in drug peddling and abuse, the District Child Protection Unit in Ernakulam with the support of district administration is initiating a project to create awareness and support those who are already involved. Social justice department, district medical office, education department, police and excise department are partnering in the project. “Vigilant groups will be formed in all schools with representatives of schools, autorickshaw drivers and nearby petty shop owners as members," said K.B. Saina, the DMO.

“The group members will monitor and report suspected cases of drug peddling or abuse to the excise department.” A meeting of stakeholders chaired by district collector Mohammed Y. Safirulla scheduled on Tuesday will discuss and finalise the project details. “Police officers and school councillors in all the seven taluks of the district have readied their proposals to present before the meeting and based on discussions, we'll finalise the project,” she said. There have been widespread complaints against school students being addicted to drugs and other intoxicating materials like thinners, whiteners and correction fluids. Several drug peddling groups use schoolchildren as carriers.