Every Hyd college must have Anti-drug committee: C V Anand

The Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C V Anand has issued a notification to set up an Anti-drug Committee (ADC) in all educational institutions and colleges with immediate effect amid the rise in drug cases across the city.

The committee should consist of a minimum of 5 members drawn from faculty and students. It is primarily tasked with preventing drug abuse by equipping young people with the life skills necessary to deal with different situations without turning to drugs, as well as the ability to resist peer pressure.

These committees will also work with local police to provide information on drug use, possession, sale, or purchase. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Hyderabad Police Narcotics Enforcement Wing at 8712661601 or 040-27852080.

According to the Hyderabad police, the institution's head will have to convene a meeting at the start of the academic year to sensitize students on the dangers of drug abuse and ensure a cooperative approach among parents, staff, students, agencies, and the police.

The Hyderabad City Police Department stated that they have taken this step to protect the increasingly vulnerable youth in colleges and other similar educational institutions.

This initiative was launched in response to the State Government's directives and as part of ongoing efforts to combat the state's drug problem.

"Lack of parental supervision and peer pressure frequently lead to young people becoming addicted to substances." Once entangled, it becomes a black hole, sucking away all good things in life and causing unbearable distress to their families and the general public," Anand explained.

Since the colleges returned to normalcy following the pandemic-induced disruption over the last two years, cops have adopted a two-pronged strategy, namely, legal action alongside sensitization of the youth, which eventually reduces the demand side in the illicit drug trade.

The ADCs, which will work under the guiding principles developed by Hyderabad City Police, have been tasked with playing a key role in raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse through various digital campaigns, workshops, and seminars in order to ensure that their campuses are free of the scourge of narcotic substances.

Prevention programmes and their outcomes should be evaluated on a regular basis to demonstrate their worth and to improve future programmes. Fostering partnerships between the home, educational institutions, and agencies catalyzes the fight against illegal trade and is likely to be the most effective method.

"A safe environment allows students to channel their energies properly and grow into responsible citizens." To create such an environment, ADCs must be determined," said CP Anand, reiterating the state government's and city police's firm stance against the illicit drug trade and abuse.