Homemaker who raised drug abuse concerns honoured during ‘Operation Toofan’

As Kerala police intensify their anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt, attention has returned to homemaker Mini Antony, whose efforts more than a decade ago highlighted the growing problem of drug abuse among students and contributed to the launch of an earlier state-wide awareness initiative.

During the inauguration of the constituency-level phase of Operation Toofan in Kochi on Thursday, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala honoured Mini by presenting her with the “Toofan Warrior” badge, the Indian Express reported.

The recognition acknowledged her role in bringing attention to the spread of narcotics among school students in her coastal village of Elamkunnapuzha in 2014.

Chennithala recalled that Mini’s concerns about increasing drug use among young people had prompted the then Congress-led government under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to introduce the “Clean Campus, Safe Campus” campaign later that year. Chennithala had also served as Home Minister during that period.

While recognising her contribution, Chennithala said Mini had approached him in 2014 with concerns about drug abuse among students, leading the government to launch a campaign focused on preventing substance use in educational institutions.

Mini said she had sought an appointment with the Home Minister after repeated complaints to the police and the Excise Department did not result in effective action. She explained that she was alarmed by the rising use of ganja among schoolchildren in coastal areas of Vypin and was particularly concerned as a mother of a school-going child.

She recalled that Chennithala listened to her concerns and instructed the then Ernakulam District Collector to take action. According to Mini, media coverage of the meeting drew attention to the issue and prompted local authorities to act, leading to a decline in drug-peddling activities targeting students and helping some young people overcome addiction.

Mini said she continues to work on anti-drug efforts and regularly supports people struggling with addiction. She warned that synthetic drug use among young people has been increasing and said those lacking sufficient parental guidance are especially vulnerable. She added that she often helps affected individuals access de-addiction and counselling services based on their needs.

Meanwhile, Kerala police said that Operation Toofan has resulted in the registration of 4,037 cases and the arrest of 4,340 people during its first 26 days.