Operation Toofan 2.0: Public awareness committees to be set up in all 20,999 wards

Thiruvananthapuram: Local self-government institutions will join Operation Toofan 2.0, with special Toofan Gram Sabhas to be convened in gram panchayat, municipal and corporation wards. Toofan Janajagratha Samithis (public awareness committees) will be formed in all 20,999 wards across the State.

A mechanism will be put in place for people to report information about drug sales, distribution, use and drug-related centres. Local bodies will also identify drug use and distribution hotspots with public participation.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate Operation Toofan 2.0 at the A.R. Nagar grama panchayat in Malappuram on September 28. Local bodies have been directed to turn the initiative into a year-long people's campaign against drugs.

A meeting of local body presidents, secretaries and police officials will be held soon. At the Toofan Gram Sabhas, at least 10 warriors (volunteers) from each ward will be included in ward-level public awareness committees.

Local body employees, elected representatives, Haritha Karma Sena and Kudumbashree workers, students, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, teachers and pensioners will be among those involved as volunteers.
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Support and rehabilitation

Local bodies will also be responsible for ensuring counselling, treatment, de-addiction services, mental and family support, and rehabilitation facilities for people struggling with drug addiction.

With the support of Kudumbashree and Haritha Karma Sena workers, drug distribution centres and families requiring attention will be identified.

To provide assistance and follow-up care, Toofan Care Committees comprising psychologists, de-addiction specialists and medical officers will function under district police chiefs.

Toofan After-Care Homes will also be set up to help people who have undergone treatment avoid returning to drug use.

Anti-drug clubs in educational institutions will be converted into Toofan Anti-Drug Clubs.
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One-year action plan

The programme will follow a year-long action calendar.

First three months: Toofan Gram Sabhas, awareness programmes in campuses and identification of drug hotspots.

Months 4-6: Counselling for parents and anti-drug sports and arts competitions for young people.

Months 7-9: Promotion of mechanisms for providing confidential information, medical and de-addiction camps, and awareness programmes at workplaces.

Months 10-12: Kudumbashree-led household visits and mentoring programmes for students.