The Kochi City police will help drug users quit the habit and save themselves from prosecution if they volunteer to undergo medical treatment.
District Police Chief (Kochi City) Putta Vimaladitya on Saturday said that at least five people, booked for drug consumption at Kalamassery and Mattancherry police stations, had already volunteered to seek medical support under Section 64 (A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He added that the police were promoting the new initiative even as strengthening prevention and detection measures to combat rising incidents of drug abuse in the city.
“The initiative is aimed at bringing back drug addicts to the mainstream instead of branding them as criminals,” the officer said, adding that the privacy of those opting for treatment would be protected.
Mr. Vimaladitya said that those who need assistance for de-addiction could contact the ‘Udayam’ initiative of the police at 94979-32777 or reach out to School Protection Groups comprising police and Excise officials, representatives of parent-teacher associations, students, teachers, and local body members.
He was briefing the media on the week-long programme, ‘Mind Fullness Week’, to be taken out as part of the World Mental Health Day observance on October 10. A series of awareness events targeting children and youth will be held from October 5 to October 11 in the city. The event will begin with an inter-college flash mob contest at Forum Mall on Monday.
A walkathon, street play, and a gadget-free family hour campaign will also be held. The campaign will conclude with a seminar for special school teachers at Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Girinagar, on October 11.
Published – October 04, 2025 11:41 pm IST
