‘Operation Toofan’: special programmes launched in Kozhikode

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District Police Chief (Kozhikode city) Merin Joseph planting a sapling under the School Plant Against Drug Abuse (SPAD) project on the Loyola School campus in Kozhikode on June 5 as part of the district-level launch of ‘Operation Toofan’ . | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) Merin Joseph launched special programmes under ‘Operation Toofan’, the State-wide anti-narcotics drive of the Kerala Police, at Loyola School here on Friday (June 5). The programme, held on the occasion of World Environment Day, was marked by the planting of a sapling by Ms. Joseph under the School Plant Against Drug Abuse (SPAD) project.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Joseph said the operation was aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks while creating awareness about substance abuse. It would also strengthen coordinated action by the police and other enforcement agencies against narcotics-related activities, she added.

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, she said the focus was not on increasing the number of arrests but on discouraging new users, helping those in the early stages of substance use quit, and tracing the root sources of drug supply chains.

The campaign would not be confined to enforcement measures alone, Ms. Joseph said, adding that rehabilitation of drug users would form an important component of the initiative. Medical care and counselling support would be facilitated for individuals in the early stages of substance abuse.

“Rather than adopting a purely punitive approach, the operation seeks to provide adequate medical support and counselling for early drug consumers. We are also looking forward to partnering with non-governmental organisations and other social organisations for the purpose,” she said.

Ms. Joseph said schools had been chosen as venues for launch events because young people were among the groups most vulnerable to substance abuse. A significant proportion of drug-related cases involved those below the age of 25, including car