Kerala Police launch PODA drive against drug abuse

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police has unveiled its latest initiative to combat the rising incidence of drug abuse among economically stable youth, particularly in the private sector. The comprehensive strategy combines strict enforcement with workplace-level prevention.

State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar announced the initiative, titled Prevention of Drug Abuse (PODA), on Tuesday as part of a broader effort to curb narcotics trafficking and substance misuse in the state.

The police have already registered 30,991 cases under the D-Hunt Special Drive this year. Of these, 349 cases involved seizures of commercial quantities of narcotics, 957 cases related to intermediate quantities, and 7,718 cases involved small quantities.

Senior police officials said the figures highlight both the scale of the drug problem and the need for sustained, multi-layered interventions beyond conventional law enforcement.

As part of the drive, the police conducted a survey which identified a clear demographic trend: drug abuse is most prevalent among financially independent youth aged 25 to 35.

According to the findings, many of these individuals operate within small, close-knit social circles, where drug use and transactions remain largely hidden from public view, making detection difficult.

A majority of those identified are employed in the private sector.

Early employment, higher disposable income and limited social oversight have together contributed to increased vulnerability to substance abuse, the survey noted.

To address this emerging challenge, PODA seeks to involve private-sector employers as active partners in drug prevention.

The programme encourages companies to require employees, at the time of recruitment, to sign a mandatory declaration pledging to abstain from drug use. It would also require employees to consent to periodic drug testing during their tenure.

If substance use is detected, employers may initiate disciplinary action, including termination, in accordance with internal policies.

The proposal has received positive responses from leading industry bodies, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, G-Tech, FICCI, CII, Young Indians (YI), BNI and the Kerala Management Association.

In the initial phase, around 21 companies employing nearly 1,100 young professionals will be part of the programme.

(With IANS inputs)