THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the mysterious death of a schoolgirl who fell into the trap of drug mafia here and was sexually exploited, information has come out about students being victims of such exploitation in many schools in the state.

It is estimated that more than 1500 children sought treatment for drug addiction in the state in the last academic year. More than 160 children from more than half a dozen schools in Thiruvananthapuram have been subjected to de-addiction treatment by the excise and police. Many of them were subjected to sexual abuse, including homosexuality. A woman had revealed to the media months ago that some senior students of a public school in the city tried to give her daughter drugs. Apart from an investigation by the Child Rights Commission, neither the police nor the excise took any action in this regard. The reason was that no complaint was received from the school authorities or parents. Even as the government is going ahead with 'Yoddhavu' program against drug addiction, there are no strong measures to curb drug mafia in school and college premises.

Children also under chemical intoxication

Children are more likely to become addicted to synthetic drugs such as MDMA and LSD, which are more intense than alcohol and marijuana and can provide hours of euphoria. Children are often lured by senior students, acquaintances or new media befrienders. The gang will first entrap boys and girls walking in pairs on their way to and from school. The gang will capture photos and videos of drug use or involvement in smuggling and the children will be trapped.

Even if the students who are in the trap of drug mafia are identified, their mobile phones are often not collected. Parents who are not ready to mentally accept that their children are addicted to drugs won't come against it.

Lack of counseling

Despite the sharp rise in drug cases, there is no manpower for counseling at the Excise headquarters. The government did not approve the appointment recommendation for the posts of counsellor, psychologist and sociologist whose contracts expired.