Coastal campaign under way in Kozhikode against drug trafficking

The Fisheries department has launched an anti-drug awareness campaign in the coastal areas of Kozhikode following an increase in the number of drug trafficking incidents and cases of drug abuse among the youth. The campaign is being coordinated by the Kerala Fishermen’s Welfare Fund Board with the support of various preventive and enforcement units under the Excise and police departments.

Officials said the campaign is aimed at addressing substance addiction among fishers and allied workers, including migrants. Recent reports from field-level officers suggested that drug trafficking had become increasingly active around harbour areas and fish landing centres, they added.

“The campaign will ensure the cooperation of local administrators, coastal vigilance committees, harbour management committees, and fishermen’s welfare forums for its success at the field level. All these groups will work together to reach vulnerable sections of the population,” said a senior Fisheries department official from Beypore. He added the campaign would also encourage community participation in identifying and reporting suspected cases of drug trafficking.

According to Fisheries department officials, the participation of youths from fishermen families who have proved their abilities in diverse fields will be explored to strengthen the anti-drug campaign. They said that a panel of expert resource persons was ready with the department to take forward field-level awareness sessions in the coastal areas.

Police sources said heightened monitoring of workers who had earlier been nabbed in drug trafficking cases would also be carried out along with the coastal campaign. They said migrant fishers who had not yet secured valid identity cards in compliance with government regulations would be identified for further action.