Excise department introduces Abon kit for saliva test to find drug users

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Excise department has introduced Abon kit which helps to find drug users including marijuana. The government is taking a strict stance in the situation as the drug usage have increased in state even among school girls.

The action is being strengthened in the situation as five people including a woman were caught with 154 grams of MDMA in Pandalam last day and four people including a woman were caught with 75 grams in Akkulam yesterday.

The drug users cannot be identified through 'breath analyzer'. A saliva test facility is being arranged for this. On an experimental basis, the tests were done in Kochi. But widespread testing has not been done in the state. Ten thousand kits were delivered to the Excise Range offices.

It is identified by the discoloration of a sponge soaked in saliva. The source of the drugs will be found by interrogating the person. If the person is willing to undergo counseling and de-addiction treatment, then he will be given a chance to avoid legal action and get on the right track. Or will be prosecuted for using drugs.

Gujarat Police was the first in India to use Abon Kit at check posts to detect drug use among lorry drivers.