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The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM calls on Student Police Cadets to continue fight against drug abuse
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on the Student Police Cadets to continue their fight against drug abuse diligently. He was speaking after receiving the salute at the 15th anniversary parade of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Project, a pride project of the Kerala Police, at the SAP Ground, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, on Saturday. Lauding the role played by SPC cadets in the State government's anti-drug campaign, the Chief Minister reminded the cadets that the fight against drug abuse should not be limited to any specific period. He said that SPC cadets should always be remembered as ambassadors of the war against drug abuse, and the cadets are the eyes and ears of the State government's anti-drug activities centered on schools. The Student Police Cadet programe, which was started in Kozhikode district on August 2, 2010, has been able to gain the complete trust and support of the Kerala society over the years. The SPC program has now completed 15 years since its inception and has achieved much recognition both nationally and internationally as the biggest youth initiative in school level in the country and the first organisation to function with gender equality. It is a matter of pride that most of the States in India are following our own project, SPC, he said. When this government came to power in 2016, it was only in 431 schools. This academic year, including the start of SPC in 70 new schools, the project is now running in 1,048 schools. About one lakh student police cadets, more than 2000 teachers, more than 3000 police officers and about two lakh former cadets are now part of the project. Through extensive social work, SPC cadets have also paved the way for exemplary changes in the society. The SPC has provided all possible assistance to the rehabilitation of disaster victims during the floods, the period of pandemics like COVID-19, and the Chooralmala disaster that occurred a year ago. The SPC has also undertaken activities to impart knowledge and literacy to children from marginalised tribal communities. During the COVID period, a Kuttipallikkudam was established for the education of children in tribal areas and TVs, newspapers, and study materials were provided to the children there. Cadets of Vithura Government Higher Secondary School undertook this activity. Today, this project is being adopted as a model by many SPC units. In addition, SPC cadets have also taken the lead in providing houses to their classmates. The Chief Minister released an e-magazine containing information about SPC's social welfare activities at the function and cut a cake with the cadets. State Police Chief Ravada Azad Chandrashekhar, Armed Police Battalion ADGP M.R, Ajithkumar, Police Headquarters ADGP S. Sreejith, Law and Order ADGP H. Venkatesh, Intelligence ADGP P. Vijayan, Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG and Student Police Cadet Project State Nodal Officer Ajeetha Begum and senior police officers were present at the function. eom
India Today
19-06-2025
- India Today
Kerala to kick off drug abuse awareness campaign on World Anti-Drug Day
The Kerala government is stepping up its fight against drug abuse with a large-scale, state-wide campaign aimed at building a drug-free a set of programmes aimed at ending the drug menace across various sections of society, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, said that the fifth phase of the anti-drug campaign will be launched on June 26, in line with the International Day Against Drug Abuse. The campaign will run until January 30, events marking the International Day will be held across Kerala, led by elected representatives. At the college level, a special programme will be launched simultaneously in campuses across the state, with the support of ministers, public figures, NGOs, and artists, Vijayan said. Residents' Associations will play a key role through a new initiative titled 'My Family is a Drug-Free Family'. Awards will be given at the taluk level to those associations that succeed in turning the maximum number of households drug-free within three months, he rallies will be held in schools and colleges, organised by National Service Scheme, Student Police Cadets, and anti-drug clubs. The Local Self-Government and Education Departments will also conduct school parliaments at the high school and higher secondary levels, with the theme: Drug-Free, Safe School: A Child's government offices will observe the day by taking an official pledge at 11 campaign is backed by strong enforcement. The Chief Minister said between June 10 and 16, under Operation D-Hunt, over 13,700 people were checked, 730 cases registered, and 769 arrests made. Nearly 25 kilograms of cannabis and 378 grams of MDMA were seized. Additionally, 274 source reports related to drug activity were handed over to district police chiefs, Vijayan June 8 to 14, the Excise Department seized 19.9 kg of cannabis, 20.7 g of MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly), and 0.6 g of methamphetamine (popularly known as crystal meth), registering 238 cases and arresting 221 persons, he General Education Department is actively working to protect students from the dangers of drug use. Schools are conducting awareness programmes, peer support groups, and training sessions for teachers and parents. Topics related to drug abuse have been added to the curriculum, with a special focus on adolescent education. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has developed new books to promote healthy living, he announced.'Teachers are being trained to spot signs of drug use and violent behaviour among students. Anti-Narcotic Clubs are operating in schools with support from the Excise Department, and selected schools have formed vigilance brigades made up of student groups,' Vijayan discussions and student-led activities are also being held through various initiatives. To develop students' creativity and personal growth, a campaign titled 'Jeevithotsavam 2025' (Festival of Life 2025) will be conducted over 21 days, ending with a state-level integration carnival.'Schools have been asked to review complaints weekly and take action where needed. Teachers have also been introduced to fitness routines such as Zumba to promote physical well-being among students,' the Chief Minister bodies and community groups across the state are also playing a strong role in raising awareness. The Kozhikode District Panchayat is set to organise a mass pledge event on June 26, involving 20 lakh people under the campaign 'Drug-Free Kozhikode'. The 'Against Drugs, Kattakada' campaign, led by students in the Kattakada constituency, recently completed its first phase with a massive human chain involving local residents, Vijayan noted.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- The Hindu
Kerala to intensify campaign against drug abuse
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a slew of programmes as part of intensifying the State's campaign against drug abuse. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Vijayan said the government will mark June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the State-level launch of the fifth phase of its comprehensive anti-drug campaign. The campaign, which will run until January 30, will involve a wide array of public participation and awareness activities. District-level inaugurations will be held under the leadership of elected representatives. A special programme titled 'The Way of Inspiration' will be simultaneously held in all colleges across the State. Ministers, people's representatives and film personalities will participate in the programmes. A community-level initiative, 'My Family, a Drug-Free Family', will also be launched through residents' associations. The initiative aims to encourage families to commit to a drug-free lifestyle. Associations displaying the best performance in terms of outreach and impact over the next three months will be awarded at the taluk-level, the Chief Minister said. Awareness rallies will be organised in schools and colleges by the National Service Scheme, Student Police Cadets units and anti-drug clubs. School Parliaments will be conducted at the high school and higher secondary levels to highlight the theme 'Drug-Free, Safe School - Children's Right'. Besides, At 11 a.m. on June 26, all government office heads across the State will administer an anti-drug pledge to employees. As part of 'Operation D-Hunt', the police have screened 13,700 individuals between June 10 and June 16. As many as 730 cases have been registered, and 769 suspects arrested. The seized contraband included 378.375 g of MDMA and 24.833 kgs of ganja. During this period, 274 drug-related source reports were forwarded to District Police Chiefs for follow-up action. In addition, the Excise department seized 19.937 kgs of ganja, 20.71 g of MDMA, and 0.6 g of methamphetamine from June 8 to 14. A total of 238 cases were registered, and 221 people were arrested.
