Activists and Teachers Welcome New Anti-Narcotic Task Force Initiative in Tamil Nadu

Child rights activists, educationists, and NGO representatives in Chennai have welcomed Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s approval to establish Anti-Narcotic Task Forces (ANTF) across the region. The initiative involves setting up ANTF units in all 37 district police stations, nine metropolitan police districts, and 28 additional police stations. S. Cyril Alexander, State Convener of the Tamilnadu People’s Forum for Tobacco Control, emphasized the need for a complete ban on gutka sales and stricter enforcement against ganja supply chains to prevent early releases of offenders. Sumithra Devi, Executive Director of Aarvam NGO, highlighted the importance of public accessibility for these task forces, particularly in areas like Vysarpadi, urging collaboration with NGOs and children to curb substance sales. Additionally, a government schoolteacher stressed the necessity for task forces to support schools in keeping campuses drug-free, noting that narcotics increasingly reach students. The stakeholders collectively called for robust implementation and community engagement to ensure the effectiveness of this new law enforcement structure in combating drug abuse and protecting youth.