Kerala college students lead grassroots anti-drug campaign

Revathy, a first-year BSc student from Malayinkeezhu Madhava Kavi Smaraka Government Arts and Science College (MMSC), walks down a narrow village lane with a group of fellow NSS volunteers. They're on a mission—not just to collect data, but to create change. At each doorstep, they conduct a household survey, politely asking families questions about drug use and awareness.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

This is part of a unique anti-drug initiative launched in the Kattakada Assembly constituency in Thiruvananthapuram. Spearheaded by local MLA I.B. Satheesh, the project covers six panchayats and aims to identify, prevent, and help those affected by drug abuse—especially the growing menace of synthetic drugs.

What sets the project apart is its immersive approach. Student volunteers stay in households for three days, engaging with the community, observing living conditions, and looking for signs of drug use. "The experience was excellent," says Revathy. "It helped us understand the realities of these families and their surroundings."