‘Operation Toofan’: special programmes launched in Kozhikode

District Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode City) Merin Joseph launched special programs under ‘Operation Toofan’, the state-wide anti-narcotics operation of Kerala Police, at Loyola School here on Friday (June 5). The program held on the occasion of World Environment Day was marked by the planting of saplings by Ms. Joseph within the scope of the School Plant Against Drugs (SPAD) project.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Joseph said that the operation aims to disrupt drug trafficking networks and at the same time raise awareness about substance abuse. This will also strengthen coordinated action by police and other enforcement agencies against narcotics-related activities, he added.

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, he said the focus is not on increasing the number of arrests but on discouraging new users, helping those who quit substance use at an early stage, and tracking the root sources of drug supply chains.

Ms Joseph said the campaign would not be limited to enforcement measures alone, adding that rehabilitation of drug users would form a key component of the initiative. Medical care and counseling support for individuals in the early stages of substance addiction will be facilitated.

“The operation aims to provide adequate medical support and counseling to early drug consumers, rather than taking a purely punitive approach. We also look forward to partnering with non-governmental organizations and other social organizations for this purpose,” he said.

Ms Joseph said the schools were chosen for the opening events because young people were among the groups most vulnerable to substance abuse. He noted that a significant portion of drug-related cases involved people under the age of 25, including carriers who were drawn into trafficking networks without fully realizing the long-term consequences of their involvement.

He called on students to be careful and inform their parents or teachers when they encounter cases of drug use or trafficking in their environment. He warned that even a single intervention in a drug-related case could have long-term consequences, as police records could negatively impact future educational and employment opportunities.

Fr. Loyola School Principal Roy Alex presided over the opening ceremony. Deputy principals Jisha Sukumaran and Nisha Sujesh, principal Fr. Religious Vachaparambil and parent-teacher association president Ashik Krishnan were present.

Police officers who coordinated the launch event and various anti-drug programs at the district level said saplings were planted in 175 schools in Kozhikode city on Friday under the SPAD project. They said school conservation groups played a key role in making the creative campaign a success on World Environment Day.