Narcotics Intelligence Bureau CID (NIBCID) sleuths are now banking on ‘student informers’ in colleges to tip them about the circulation of narcotic substances in order to break into the vicious circle of drug peddlers who target college students on the campus.
An NIBCID source said it was becoming difficult to break the network of ganja peddlers, especially among college students who turn addicts, egged on by their peers.
“Student informers are present in many colleges in Tirupur, Coimbatore, Erode and Ooty districts, who are sensitised on the issue of narcotics.
They give a tip-off if they come across a drug peddler on their campus, whether it is student or outsider,” said NIBCID inspector Vijay Kumar.
Similar efforts were reportedly made across the state to prevent drug peddling on campuses. “Mainly, north Indian students and those from neighbouring states act as carriers and supply the drugs among their close friends. This spreads among other students,” explained the inspector.
Thanks to the student informers, the officials were able to net a drug peddler and seize 1 kg ganja in Tirupur.
“We usually give phone numbers to specific student volunteers while organising sensitisation programmes. Their identity will not be revealed,” Mr Vijay Kumar said.
Priya Muralidharan, psychology student, PSG College of Arts and Science, who runs Lead India Ahead, said they counsel drug addicts on the campus before referring them to experts for further guidance.
“We are also ready to provide information to officials on drug peddlers,” she added.