Anti-drug campaign to be strengthened

KOZHIKODE: The anti-narcotic campaign launched in the district will be strengthened to eliminate the alcohol and drug addiction among the youngsters.

Anti-drug activities will be collectively initiated by residents' associations, colleges and schools. It will also be extended with the aid of mobile application, said district collector Seeram Sanbasiva Rao at a district-level meeting.

The de-addiction centres should function efficiently in all village panchayats, Mr Rao added.

As per the latest report, 4,547 raids, including 12 joint raids, were conducted in the district. Of them, 686 excise cases and  1918 cases  under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) cases were registered. As many as 597 people were arrested. To test the quality of alcohol-licensing labs, 348 tests were conducted and 248 samples were sent for chemical testing.

To reduce drug and alcohol consumption among youngsters, 167 clubs in schools and 35 in colleges are functioning. Awareness programmes in schools and colleges are going on with shadow excise surveillance. A de-addiction centre in Beach hospital and a counselling centre at Puthiyara are functioning.

Enforcement was strengthened after August 10 with 24-hour control rooms and patrolling, striking force at three levels and intelligence team . Moreover, rented houses of migrant labourers also are under surveillance.