Kerala: CM Vijayan announces intensified anti-drug campaign to combat narcotics

The Kerala government announced a largescale antidrug campaign set to begin in April aiming to fight the rising menace of narcotics through a coordinated effort across society on MondayChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the initiative would integrate all existing campaigns and involve various government departments institutions and community groups in a unified combat against substance abuseAddressing a highlevel meeting at the Legislative Assembly Vijayan emphasised the need for an intensified approach to tackle drugrelated issues in the stateAs part of the campaigns preparatory phase a crucial meeting is scheduled for March 30 bringing together experts student and youth organisations film cultural and media representatives as well as teacher and parent associations a CMO release noted reported PTIThe meeting will focus on formulating a comprehensive action plan to guide the campaigns implementationThe release said a committee comprising various departments will be formed under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to prepare an antidrug framework according to PTIThe Chief Minister has directed that antidrug awareness should begin from lower primary classes More programmes should be organised to attract children to sports Steps must be taken to ensure that hostels and public places remain drugfree and inspections should be strengthened it saidVijayan directed that the enforcement activities of the police and excise departments should be further intensifiedThe Local SelfGovernment Department must take steps to shut down shops selling drugs Modern equipment should be procured to detect the presence of narcotics and the presence of sniffer dogs should be increased If necessary coordination with police officers from other states should be initiated he said reported PTIHe said measures to curb online drug trafficking will be strengthenedInspections at airports railways and ports should be intensified along with stricter border police checks the Chief Minister statedVijayan also said that couriers parcels and tourist vehicles entering Keralas borders should be subjected to thorough inspectionsMinisters outlined the antidrug initiatives implemented by their respective departmentsThe meeting was attended by ministers Saji Cherian M B Rajesh O R Kelu R Bindu and V Abdurahiman along with Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan Additional Chief Secretaries A Jayathilak and K R Jyothilal State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib ADGPs Manoj Abraham and P Vijayan and Excise Commissioner Mahipal YadavThe move came amid an intensified antinarcotics campaign by various state government agencies including the police and excise departmentOn Saturday the Kerala Police stated that as part of its special drive DHunt to prevent the sale and use of psychotropic substances such as MDMA it had registered 7038 cases and arrested 7307 individuals across the state within a month of launching the initiativeWith PTI inputs