Kozhikode: Residents Associations Apex Council of Kozhikode is forming anti-drug squads in individual residents associations to tackle the influence of the drug mafia on students and youth. This decision is in the context of rising drug addiction among students. The Apex Council will also conduct awareness classes for students and parents.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Apex Council president T.P Rajan said that the squads would function in association with respective Police units. “We have been receiving complaints about the growing drug addiction among youth, especially students of plus one and plus two. Residents associations are already informing police about suspicious activities. Apart from that, we are forming an organised system in the form of squads of residents. Awareness classes on how to deal with the drug mafia and how to wean off addiction will be conducted for students and parents by the associations,” he added.
The direct involvement of residents associations would also help the Police to better deal with drug related cases. “Not just in drug cases, but also in any crime or a social issue, the role of residents associations are very important to prevent it or to nab the criminals. The number of police personnel to the population is very disproportionate. It is not possible for the police to keep watch in all places all the time. So when residents associations take these initiatives and inform us about what is going wrong in their area, it will be a big help,” said Kozhikode City Police Commissioner Uma Behera.
According to Kozhikode District Police Chief N Vijayakumar, the number of drug cases involving students was on the rise, but most of the time, the issue got settled at the school level, considering the future of students. “It is difficult to get the source of the drug supply. I hope the residents associations’ initiative can make an impact in this regard,” he added.
