THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration is gearing up to launch a battle against alcohol and drug abuse. The upcoming New Year celebrations will serve as a launch-pad for the programme, with the administration asking the public to keep the celebrations free of alcohol and narcotics.
Although more than a month remains for the curtains to descend on 2017, the district administration has already chalked out plans to make sure the Christmas and New Year celebrations are not spoiled by alcohol and drugs. It has also announced plans to form ward-level committees to step up activities in this regard.
In addition to government agencies such as the police and excise departments, the administration has decided to rope in residents’ associations and voluntary organisations as well in an effort to keep the festivities clean. District Collector K Vasuki, who chaired a meeting on the issue here the other day, said the programmes will be coordinated under ‘Vimukti,’ the anti-liquor, anti-narcotics mission launched by the state government in November last year.
Drug and liquor abuse is a major reason behind more than half of the crimes in society, and it constitutes the reason for over 60 per cent of crimes against women and children, the November 17 review meeting had concluded. On December 12, the District Collector will convene a meeting of non-governmental organisations, residents’ associations, religious institutions and clubs to give a final shape to the programme. On December 17, residents’ associations and ‘Ayalkootams’ will conduct programmes to spread the ‘Vimukti’ message. Ward-level committees will be formed before December 10.
A poster campaign
Now, you too can join the district administration’s efforts to create awareness about drug and alcohol abuse. The administration has invited poster designs from the public to take forward the ‘Vimukti’ campaign. Entries should be sent to vimuktitvm@gmail before November 25.
