Schools, colleges to have anti-drug panel

To monitor use of narcotics in educational institutes

Police Commissioner C.V. Anand said that HNEW (Hyderabad — Narcotics Enforcement Wing) plans to start anti-drug committees on the lines of anti-ragging committees in all schools and colleges in the city during the 202223 academic session. These committees will be responsible for monitoring the use and peddling of drug on the premises and hostels etc., of the educational institutions, he said.

The Hyderabad City Police, which formed two special units in February to tackle the drug menace, advised the youth to stay away from narcotics and requested the parents to keep a watch on the activities of their children in an appeal on the eve of the International Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26.

The H-NEW

started functioning on the premises of office of the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, under the charge of a DCP and consists of two inspectors, two subinspectors and 20 constables and was functioning on the lines of the Commissioner’s Task Force in generating intelligence, raids, detection, disruption of organised drug trafficking groups and suppliers, peddlers, consumers apart from maintaining databanks, the Police Commissioner said.

“Meanwhile, the NISW (Narcotics Investigation Supervision Wing) was also started with an ACP, one inspector, a subinspector and six constables. They have supported, monitored and assisted the local police in arrests, remands, seizure, chargesheeting and maintaining the trial till the conviction of the accused. They are also training small units being created in all the police stations to deal with such cases,” he said.

Explaining the plan of action by H-NEW towards a drug-free city, he said that they work on identifying in the network from consumer to local peddlers, transporters, main suppliers, agents, producers, financers and bring them on record. “The team works on identifying the kingpin in and around Hyderabad and to apprehend the interstate drug peddlers who supply narcotics, as well as keeping watch over the movements of local peddlers and book more cases in order to curb the drug menace. They focus on labour addas, railway stations, bus stations, schools, colleges and IT companies etc., to identify the suspect persons who might be indulging in illegal activities by selling ganja and other drug objects to prospective customers. The also coordinate with the FRRO, DRI, NCB,

ED, IB, Excise, Prisons Department and Intelligence etc., for cracking down on drug suppliers,” said the official. The members of H-NEW are entrusted with the required expertise in big data analysis to crack down the drug menace and those who supply narcotics through Dark Web and to keep an eye over social networking sites and apps. “A dedicated call centre with toll free numbers 04027852080 and 9490616688, was set up for the citizens and an awareness campaign is run to reach the maximum number of people,” added the official.

The Hyderabad City Police is also coordinating with Institute of Mental Health, Erragadda, Hyderabad, with the help of Dr. S. Sireesha HOD and Incharge Superintendent. A memorandum of understanding is also made between city police and three organisations.