Kochi's Creative Anti-Drug Campaign Targets Migrant Workers

National Drug Awareness

Posted by AI on 2025-10-04 12:45:06 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-11 04:44:20

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In a unique and creative approach to drug awareness, the Ernakulam rural police in Kochi, India, are taking the cinema route to combat a growing concern. With a recent migrant labourer's death from a heroin overdose in Perumbavoor, the police have decided to screen a Bengali short film, 'aPao', in a local movie theatre. This initiative aims to educate and deter the migrant worker community, particularly those from Bengal, from the dangers of drug abuse.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Hardik Meena believes this method will have a more significant impact than traditional awareness lectures. "Sharing syringes among migrant labourers is a serious issue," he said, highlighting the potential for HIV outbreaks and overdoses. The film screening, expected to attract at least 200 attendees, is a free event, with invitations extended to migrant workers and plywood associations.

The urgency of this campaign is underscored by the alarming drug seizure statistics in the region. In August alone, nearly Rs 1 crore worth of drugs were confiscated in Ernakulam rural. The drugs are often transported from Assam, hidden in plastic soap boxes, and then repackaged and sold at a significant markup in Kochi. This lucrative trade has led to a rise in drug abuse among migrant workers, who often share syringes, unaware of the associated health risks.

As the police take this innovative step to address a critical social issue, the community awaits the screening's impact. Will this cinematic approach successfully deter drug abuse among migrant workers, or will it be just a brief intermission in the ongoing battle against substance abuse? The answer may lie in the audience's reaction and the subsequent actions of those who bear witness to the film's powerful message.

Go!