Alongside cracking down on drug peddling, the Coimbatore City Police asssited in the rehabilitation of about 100 drug users in the past month, according to City Police Commissioner N. Kannan.

While arresting peddlers, the police collected details about their clientele and assisted them in seeking help from rehabilitation centres.

Mr. Kannan said that the police identified 10 rehabilitation centres in the city, including the one at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Persons identified as drug users after the arrest of peddlers were referred to these centres.

He clarified that no person was forcibly sent to these rehabilitation centres. The police merely guided willing persons through the support of their family members. The city police were looking for non-governmental organisations that could support the rehabilitation of drug users.

“Family members, friends and relatives have a major role in identifying drug addiction in youngsters from a very early stage. They should identify even minor changes in their behaviour and help them recover from addiction,” he said.

In a move to find signs of addictions to banned tobacco products and drugs among students, the city police are planning to propose to managements of schools to conduct health camps, especially dental checkups, in collaboration with hospitals.

The Commissioner said that the police are taking stern action against drug peddlers, such as detention under the Goondas Act, freezing of bank accounts, and measures to attach properties acquired through the proceeds from drug trade.

Out of the 61 persons against whom the Commissioner invoked provisions of the Goondas Act till June end, 26 are drug offenders.

The police, with the assistance of various banks, have frozen over 200 bank accounts of drug peddlers arrested in the recent special drives, Mr. Kannan said.