Kanniyakumari district administration and district police have jointly launched an initiative called “The Change” to eradicate drug abuse among school and college students in the district, at a private engineering college near Nagercoil on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering, Kanniyakumari District Collector M. Prathap said the initiative had been launched with a lofty objective that the progress and transformation of the district’s youth should not be hindered by the menace of drug abuse.

He added that although the district police have been undertaking various measures to curb drug abuse, the issue cannot be viewed solely as a law and order problem, stating that drug abuse is a social problem that requires the collective efforts of all sections of the society.

Mr. Prathap further noted that the project has been designed as a collaborative initiative with the participation, bringing together various departments to work in coordination towards drug eradication.

Speaking at the event Kanniyakumari District Superintendent of Police R. Stalin said that drug addiction undermines discipline among students and adversely affects their academic performance. Stressing that students are the hope and future of their families, he said that drug addiction shatters not only their own lives but also the dreams and aspirations of their families.

He urged the students to remain vigilant from falling prey to drug abuse.

During the programme, a special team comprising nine police personnel was introduced. The team will conduct surveillance across the district in coordination with the education department, identify vulnerable students and those affected by drug addiction, facilitate their rescue and refer them for counselling and other support services.

Kanniyakumari District Chief Education Officer Arockiya Prince Raj, District Health Officer Namasivayam and several other officials were present at the event.