THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has come up with an action plan to curb the rising drug use and subsequent crime in the state. The action plan was prepared as per the order issued in a case in which the High Court had taken suo motu cognizance after considering an editorial published by Kerala Kaumudi on March 21, 2019, and the letter of former Kottayam District Police Chief N Ramachandran. Virtual police and excise units comprising principals will be set up in schools and colleges. An order issued by TK Jose, additional chief secretary (home and vigilance), granted permission to inspect students using a drug detection kit.

Action plan

• Inspection to find drug use on campuses and hostels. Squads to find drug dealers
• Under the leadership of deputy excise commissioners, 'Nerkoottam' committees, headed by principals, will be set up in colleges and 'Sradha' committees will be set up in hostels. These committees will comprise students, parents and local representatives.
• Student Police Volunteer Corps in colleges for anti-drug activities. Protection groups and anti-narcotics clubs will be set up in unaided schools and colleges.
• Surprise inspections will be conducted at vacant buildings and shops near colleges. The licenses of shops selling drugs will be revoked.
• 'Unarvu project' of Excise department in one school in every taluk.
• The drug network to Kerala will be disrupted with the help of the Narcotics Control Bureau.

Fight against drugs in syllabus

• Anti-drug lessons in the Higher Secondary syllabus
• Anti-drug awareness class and seminar for students
• Drug rehabilitation centers for those under 21 years of age
• Intelligence about drug distribution will be strengthened
• Portal to provide information on drug sales on social media.
• Training for police and excise to detect synthetic and pharmaceutical drugs
• The anti-drug treatment will be funded from Bevco's CSR fund.