Taking a serious note of the expanding tentacles of the drug menace, the District Development Committee has instructed various departments to chalk out an action plan against the menace.
Initiating the discussion on the issue at the meeting held here on Saturday, District Panchayat Vice-President Abdul Muthalib said that areas adjoining schools in the district were in the grip of the drug mafia and urged the excise and police departments to intensify their actions.
He cited an instance where the mafia threatened the authorities of a school at Vazhakkulam.
Additional District Magistrate C.K. Prakash, who chaired the meeting, directed the excise and police authorities to bring schools under strict surveillance. Excise officials said that school authorities had been given the phone numbers to contact during emergencies.
Narcotic cell authorities said that awareness classes and campaigns were being continuously conducted. The assistant drugs controller said that steps had been initiated to control the sale of drugs such as pethadine, which were being misused. Chemists had also been alerted. Mr. Prakash said committees comprising representatives of Education, Excise and police departments, school management and PTA should draw up an action plan to contain drug menace.
Excise and police department directed to bring schools under strict surveillance
