The Excise department has intensified the activities of Vimukthi clubs in educational institutions in Ernakulam district after noticing a disconcerting rise in substance abuse among students, especially teens.
Apart from conducting awareness sessions about the pitfalls of substance abuse, the clubs are supposed to serve as conduits for information about drug pushers targeting students. In addition to a school faculty member put in charge of the club, an excise officer is assigned to coordinate the activities of the clubs in three to four schools in his jurisdiction.
“Notwithstanding the rise in substance abuse among children as young as 14 and 15 years, not many are volunteering to pass on information. We are also keeping a close tab on student hostels considering the convenience they offer in storing drugs,” a senior excise official said.
When it comes to substance abuse among youngsters, the story seems to unfold along the set pattern. Often, they start with smoking before progressing to ganja and synthetic drugs with many even ending up as carriers.
“One in a band of friends falling for drugs is enough to infect the rest. Popular mediums like cinema are not helping either as many films give the impression of glorifying substance abuse and young impressionable minds are easily influenced,” said an excise official associated with the functioning of Vimukthi clubs in the district.
Earlier, the excise department used to promote sports by organising competitions at the local body level as an effective diversion for youngsters vulnerable to the drug menace. However, such competitions are no longer held and only sporting equipment and playgrounds are being arranged.
