Thrikkakara municipality, home to the IT hub in the district and a large population of guest workers, has decided to take steps to curb the spread of intoxicating substances, including drugs and other banned materials.

Chairperson Radhamani Pillai said that the council had approved the formation and deployment of special municipal squads following the alarming rise in the use of banned intoxicating substances across the State.

She added that the police and Excise departments were involved in forming monitoring squads and installing CCTVs to identify locations where substance abuse was rampant. Initially, the council had approved the procurement of 130 cameras at a cost of ₹70 lakh.

The municipal authorities have identified sensitive areas near schools, colleges, night clubs, eateries, game turfs that have sprung up across the municipality, and camps where guest workers are concentrated.

They are hopeful that a full-time monitoring system will be in place and functioning efficiently by the beginning of the new academic year at the end of May.

Along with preventive measures, the authorities will engage with students and youths through awareness classes, campaigns, and family outreach to combat drug menace.