Minister of Dairy Development T. Mano Thangaraj emphasised the need to create a drug-free youth community in Kanniyakumari district, while speaking at an event organised in Nagercoil, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
At the event, the Minister said that various awareness programmes were being carried out across Tamil Nadu to combat drug abuse and highlight its harmful effects. As part of the initiative, government and aided school teachers and headmasters were closely monitoring the students and offering counselling if they notice any unusual behavioural changes among them.
In addition, the district administration has also instructed multiple departments including, Revenue, Child Welfare, Corporation, Police, local bodies and others to conduct effective inspections to ensure that banned drugs were not being sold in public places, added Mr. Mano Thangaraj.
He further noted that teachers and college professors have been directed to keep an eye on students and immediately inform both the parents and the police if they find any substance or alcohol addiction. For this purpose the police department has introduced a dedicated whatsApp number to facilitate quick reporting.
The Minister also received the awareness torch that was carried from 31 different locations across the district as a symbol of the anti-drug campaign.
Kanniyakumari Collector R. Alagumeena, Nagercoil Corporation Mayor R. Mahesh, Child Protection Officer Shakeel Banu, and other officials were present at the event.