TOI illustration for representation.

KOLLAM: In the wake of drug abuse cases involving students witnessing a rise in the district, Kollam city police launched 'Save Kollam' initiative by forming a WhatsApp group in order to save the student community from drug abuse.

The WhatsApp group consists of faculty members and other important persons in colleges and schools.

People can also send information regarding the drug use and sale to the contact number 9497960892 and this would be handed over to a quick response team (QRT). "The QRT in allegiance with the shadow police will take action against the complaints and information received through the WhatsApp group", said city police commissioner S Satish Bino.

He also said that the students have become easy prey to the drug mafias in the district and have also become a potential target both as customers and peddlers. The proximity of the district to Tamil Nadu has made it easy for the peddlers to smuggle in drugs from there and easily distribute it in the district.

Through 'Save Kollam' initiative, police's priority will be to put a cap on the easy flow of drugs to the district through border towns and keep a vigil on the schools and colleges. He also said that there needed a system put in place to check the trains as a large quantity of drugs are smuggled in through it by the workers from other states.

As part of the initiative, the city police would conduct drug awareness classes in 190 schools and colleges in the district. Police will also keep a tab on those who bunk the classes through 'Gurukulam' project. Initially, this programme would run in the schools having student police cadets (SPC).

