AP plans Southern states conclave to step up war on drugs

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh will soon host a conclave of southern States in Visakhapatnam to coordinate efforts against drug abuse and trafficking, as the State government seeks to combine enforcement with a wider prevention and awareness campaign.

IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh, who participated in a meeting of ministers on drug prevention at Undavalli, directed the Eagle wing to intensify measures against drug abuse in line with the Centre’s Nasha Mukt Bharat objective. He asked officials to study the Punjab Police’s strategies for tackling synthetic drugs and called for coordinated action by elected representatives and officials to make AP drug-free.

The government plans to expand prevention programmes across educational institutions and vulnerable communities. Lokesh said Eagle Clubs had been established in all government high schools and called for monthly town-hall meetings with students in universities and colleges.

He directed officials to undertake large-scale programmes such as Operation Chaitanyam and Operation Safe Campus Zone in agency areas to educate tribal communities about the dangers of drugs.

Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha said a strict crackdown was being launched against the smuggling of ganja into AP from Odisha. She directed officials to strengthen surveillance at check-posts along the Odisha border and explore wider use of drones. A special Break the Silence programme is also being organised to encourage awareness about drug abuse.

The enforcement network has flagged several emerging channels of drug distribution. Eagle IG Ake Ravi Krishna said ganja-laced chocolates had recently been seized in Visakhapatnam and Narasaraopet, with investigations indicating their origin in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Police in the two States have been alerted.

Officials said surveillance was also being maintained on the misuse of Schedule drugs and cough syrups for intoxication. Twenty medical shops allegedly selling such medicines without prescriptions have been seized.

Police have identified drug-linked “blade gangs” in Vijayawada and Rajahmundry and are taking action against them. Thirty-six trained sniffer dogs are being deployed to detect ganja and other drugs, while suspected users are being screened with rapid drug-detection kits.

The Eagle wing has identified 192 active repeat offenders linked to drug-related activities and initiated stringent action against them.

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The Hans India