12-min film, counselling to help troubled youngsters

The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) does not want to book college students and spoil their academic career. Instead, it has adopted a humane approach to deal with troubled youngsters.

The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) does not want to book college students and spoil their academic career. Instead, it has adopted a humane approach to deal with troubled youngsters.

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Officials said students caught consuming banned substances are usually counselled and shown a film on drug abuse. In extreme cases, the police summon the parents and conduct a joint counselling session.

“Over the years, college students have turned smart and hence everybody doesn’t deal with drug peddler to procure,” said an ANC officer on condition of anonymity. “Only one student deals with the peddler and procures the drugs, which exchanges hands later.”

Sunil Kavlekar, senior inspector, Azad Maidan ANC, said, “We don’t intend to ruin the careers of youngsters. Hence we don’t register cases against college students caught consuming any banned substance. We show them a 12-minute film to warn them of the consequences of drug consumption. It generally makes a good impact on their minds.”

He added, “In case we come across a repeated offender or somebody who is unwilling to change, we summon the parents and inform them about their child’s activities and hold a joint counselling session. This helps create a fear factor.”