Thiruvananthapuram Corporation plans ward-level awareness programs to fight the drug epidemic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will join hands to fight for a drug-free city, regardless of party politics. The decision in this regard was taken at a special council meeting held yesterday. In the context of synthetic drugs becoming widespread in the society, Mayor Arya Rajendran said that it is necessary to educate parents and the community about such deadly drugs and the behavioural changes that occur when they are used. Many people do not recognise such drugs even if they see them directly. To overcome this, awareness classes will be held on a ward basis with the help of excise and police, the mayor announced.

Decisions at the council meeting

• 'Black spots' where drugs are sold in the city will be identified with the cooperation of the locals and will be informed to excise and police.
• The corporation will keep the names and details of those who provide information confidential.
• Special task forces will be formed with the inclusion of residents' association office bearers in schools and colleges.
• The state government's drug-free awareness programmes will be conducted.

Inspection will be intensified

The most likely to find drug packets thrown away after use are the municipality's sanitation workers. Based on the information provided by them, special attention will be paid to the areas where the most number of such packets gets thrown away. The mayor also announced that the corporation will conduct inspections of medical stores in the city and shops within a 100-metre radius of educational institutions.