Coimbatore: The police have stepped up surveillance to curb the use of 'cool lip and e-cigarettes' in schools and to provide counseling to affected students.

1,210 government schools, 177 government-aided schools, and 665 private schools, serving over 2.5 lakh students function in Coimbatore district. Recently, there's been a surge in drug sales targeting school children.

One particularly troubling substance is coll lip, a narcotic that becomes addictive almost instantly when placed under the lip or tongue. Its low price makes it easily accessible to students. Coll lip is also carcinogenic.

Alongside this, there has been an increase in the use of banned smoking products among students. Despite regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools, sales persist, targeting young students.

E-cigarettes, banned by the central government in 2019, have also become a popular and stylish option among youth, contributing to the rise in drug use. The availability of e-cigarettes online presents a significant challenge for the police.

To combat this, a monitoring committee led by school principals has been established. The police frequently visit schools to consult with these committees and take necessary actions.

With schools now started, the city police plan to intensify their operations by holding meetings with principals to address drug abuse.

One-Month Target

The city Police Commissioner Balakrishnan stated, "We have significantly reduced drug use among school children, but some issues remain. Government school students are using cool lip, while private school students are using e-cigarettes. We have set a one-month target to achieve 100 percent drug-free schools and have intensified our efforts.

We will soon hold meetings with school principals and teachers. Students found using drugs will receive counseling from teachers, and strict actions will be taken against those who sell these substances."

This initiative reflects the police's commitment to ensuring a safe and drug-free environment for all students.