Thiruvananthapuram: Home minister Ramesh Chennithala said the state would roll out a ‘Talk Room’ project to address the mental and social issues faced by children as part of the crackdown against prevalence of drugs.Speaking at a meeting of various youth organizations convened as part of efforts to strengthen anti-drug activities across the state, Chennithala said that the aim of the initiative is to create a safe space where children can openly share their worries and problems.He also said that youth organizations should join hands with the govt in its mission to make Kerala a drug-free state.Full participation from society is essential to protect the younger generation from falling into addiction, he added.The meeting mainly discussed proposals to expand Operation Toofan and to step up action against drug mafias with active public involvement.Youth organizations expressed support for the govt’s anti-drug efforts. They also put forward a series of suggestions for implementation in different sectors.DYFI called for stronger, science-based anti-drug awareness campaigns centered on schools and recommended appointing specially trained experts for the purpose, said a statement.Youth League raised concerns that inspections under Operation Toofan were not effective in certain areas and urged that such situations be reviewed.Various organizations suggested extending de-addiction treatment facilities to taluk hospitals and health centers, and called for necessary amendments to the NDPS Act. They pointed out that existing legal limitations were making it difficult for children to receive the de-addiction care they need.The organizations also came forward expressing readiness to turn all their workers into Toofan Warriors. They proposed forming anti-drug clubs by coordinating different clubs in schools and ensuring the involvement of parents.SFI voiced concern that drugs were being sold through certain stationery shops operating near campuses and schools. It demanded strong action to stop the use of children in drug distribution networks. The organization also proposed widening schemes that engage students in sports and cultural activities during vacation periods.Other major suggestions raised at the meeting included strengthening systems to detect and block the sources of drugs, modernizing the excise department, creating a special mechanism to monitor online drug sales, ensuring the confidentiality of informants, increasing the participation of parents and PTAs, involving Kudumbashree in anti-drug campaigns, incorporating narcotics awareness into the curriculum, building rehabilitation communities, and tightening surveillance on social media.It was also suggested that strict steps, including permanent cancellation of licences of establishments involved in drug sales, would create fear among traders.Chennithala said that the govt would support lawful steps related to launching student police cadet units in aided and unaided schools.
