Recent surveys and available literature show that substance use is increasing among children and adolescents. The problem is seen across all socioeconomic groups, from metropolitan cities to small towns and rural areas, with newer substances and multiple substance use also being documented. The fact that substances like tobacco, drugs and alcohol are considered to be the gateway for youngsters to tread on to more heinous crimes, calls for a collaborative and concerted effort to tackle all factors that can expose our children to such inappropriate activities. Since children spend most of their time in the formative years in schools and other educational institutions, it is highly imperative that they are provided with the safest and cleanest campuses.
Concerned at this, the Kerala Government is launching a widespread campaign aimed at arresting the rising prevalence of substance abuse and other inappropriate social behaviour among students named 'Clean Campus, Safe Campus', the Home, Education & Health Departments have come together to give shape and implement this long-term campaign that will target students up to standard 12 in the first phase.
The activites carried out in Thrissur City District
As per the Government Order (Rt) 1479/12/Home dated 17/05/2012, campaign aimed at arresting the rising prevalence of substance abuse and other inappropriate social behaviour among students, the &ldquoClean Campus Safe Campus&rdquo Monitoring Committees constituted in the following schools in Thrissur City.
A proceeding from this office vide D4/39234/14-RC dated 30/11/2014 issued to monitor the implementation of the project by nominating a Civil Police Officer as nodal officer in each Police Station in Thrissur City. Assistant Commissioner of Police Administration is the nodal officer of Clean Campus Safe Campus in Thrissur City.
As per the direction received from Janamaithri State Nodal Officer, a meeting of NRHM Health Nurses had been arranged in District Police Office Conference Hall on 10/07/2014 eighty NRHM health nurses participated in the meeting, NRHM District Programme Officer, District Programme Co-Ordinator also participated in the programme. The Community Relation Officers from all Police Stations and Sub Divisional Officers, Asst. Commissioner of Police Administration, Asst. Commissioner of Police, Special Branch are also attended the meeting. The then Commissioner of Police, Thrissur City inaugurated the meeting. The meeting discussed how to implement &ldquoClean Campus &ndash Safe Campus&rdquo in the schools and colleges and formulated an action plan for the implementation of the programme. The action plan includes the Community Relation Officers with the assistance of school health nurses shall visit each schools and colleges in their respective areas for conducting awareness programmes, to find out the real victims if any and to provide clinical assistance etc.