The State govt is mulling over setting up a world-class de-addiction centre in Kerala to extend better support to the treatment & rehabilitation of drug addicts, Minister for Excise & Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan has said.
Opening a State-level anti-drug awareness campaign in connection with Gandhi Jayanti celebrations here on Sunday, Mr. Ramakrishnan said this was in addition to the existing district-level de-addiction centres.
According to Mr. Ramakrishnan, anti-drug clubs to strengthen fights against substance abuse & alcoholism had already been constituted in 2,761 schools in Kerala. “About 511 colleges too had opened similar clubs & started their activities,” he said.
Explaining the special initiatives taken to step up the fight against dug abuse, the Minister said the State govt’s Vimukti Mission had already created 31 new posts to coordinate its activities effectively among the target group. This was in addition to the 81 temporary posts created to meet the additional requirements in the sector, he said.
He said 3 new enforcement squads were recently constituted by the Excise Department to step up vigil & action against drug peddlers.
“A separate State level squad too is now in action to track suspicious activities,” he added. The Minister also called upon parents, teachers & students to find ways to save young drug addicts. “Instead of isolating such victims, they should be given proper care including de-addiction treatment & counselling support,” he said.
Joint Excise Commissioner V.J. Mathew chaired the inaugural event. Deputy Excise Commissioner V.R. Anil Kumar, Additional Excise Commissioner D. Rajeev & Vimukti District manager K. Jayaprakash were present.
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