Narcotic cell drive to save youth from drug abuse
most of the drug mafias in the district, which network with inter-state outfits, mainly target school and college students.
ALAPPUZHA: As a result of the unprecedented rise in cases in which juveniles in the district have become victims of drug abuse, the Narcotic cell here has decided to launch a special awareness campaigns for school students and parents. D Mohanan, DySP Narcotic Cell, said that the campaigns would be carried out in association with the Excise department, and it would be kicked off by March 18 in Aroor, here.
“The campaign has been planned after juveniles were caught being involved in the ganja and drug trade for a couple of months. Many juveniles are being used as agents by the mafia to get through to schools. Our campaign is meant mainly to make students aware of the consequences of drug use. It is also important that parents identify behavioral changes that occur in their children. So, parents would be well-informed about drug abuse. All educational institutions including schools and colleges would be covered as part of the campaign”, he said.
Meanwhile, 87 cases under NDPS Act and 90 cases for illegal possession of tobacco products were registered in the last three months. Most of the drug mafias in the district, which network with inter-state outfits, mainly target school and college students. Kayamkulam and Aroor have of late emerged as the hotspot of the ganja mafia.
According to the DySP, the relaxation in law which restrict police from registering a non-bailable offence against a person who is caught in possession of ganja below one kilo is a problem. “Taking advantage of this, drug peddlers make the stuff in small 100g packets, and easily get away with mild punishment.”
Speaking about measures by his department, he said that a team would be set up in railway stations to check out the luggage of migrant workers who are often the main players in interstate drug trade”, DySP said.
According to data, as many as 29 cases under NDPS act and 27 cases under Cigarretes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in December were registered. In January it was 26 and 19 respectively.
When it comes to the month of February, cases under NDPS act are 33 while under COTPA are 30. Meanwhile, the cases under the NDPS act in the district shows steady growth from 23 in 2008 to over 550 in 2015.
A Abdul Kalam, Deputy Excise Commissioner, said that complaint boxes were installed in almost all schools in the district with the support of the parent teachers association. Regular patrolling and raids had been ordered.
The complaints would be examined at regular intervals and action would be taken immediately. The special branch of the police here has declared Zacharia Bazar, Alappuzha Railway Station, Alappuzha Beach, Iravukadu, Chethi, Mannancherry, Cherthala, Kutiyathodu , Kaymkulam and Aroor- as hotspots of drug peddlers.