Take stringent measures to curb ganja menace: Collector

District Collector K Vetri Selvi told the police officials to adopt stringent measures to curb the ganja menace in the district and intensify the checking at check-posts. A district level anti-narcotic committee meeting was held here on Wednesday presided over by Collector Vetri Selvi.  
Speaking on the occasion, the Collector told the authorities to intensify inspections to prevent transportation of cannabis and other drugs which spoil the future of the youth. She also asked them to identify the areas where the transportation of ganja and drugs is frequent and intensify inspections at the toll plazas on the highways and at district borders.
“Strict measures should be taken to prevent the consumption of ganja and drugs anywhere in the district. The peddlers who supply drugs should be identified and cases should be registered against them. Supply and consumption of drugs are also punishable and awareness programmes should be organized in schools and colleges on the ill-effects of cannabis and drug use,” she told the officials.
Information could be given by calling the 14500 toll free number regarding the sale of ganja and consumption on the supply of drugs, she said and directed the officials to take steps to display the 14500 toll free number at all schools, colleges and prominent road junctions.
“Special teams with police, education, medical and officials should be set up to organise programmes to create wide awareness on the ill-effects and legal punishments caused by the use of drugs like ganja,” Collector Vetri Selvi told the officials.
SP K P Shiva Kishore said that so far 540 people have been arrested and 149 cases have been registered in the district during the year for transporting ganja, illicit liquor and selling. “The SEB officials are conducting checking of vehicles extensively across the district as part of efforts to prevent the ganja and country-made liquor menaces. A vigil has also been laid extensively on cannabis and on the brewing of country-made liquor,” the SP said.
Joint Collector P Dhatri Reddy, Additional SP Nakka Suryachandra Rao, DRO D Pushmani, deputy commissioner of transport Santhi Kumari and DEO Abraham were among those who attended the meeting.
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