Students of over 50 Hyderabad schools, colleges found taking drugs

HYDERABAD:Authorities enquired as many as 27 colleges and 26 schools to take step to check use of drugs by their students after an examination foun that over 1,000 students,some of them as young as 13 are using 'high-end'drugs like LSD and MDMA.
Advisories were sent to the educational institutions including prestigious international schools and engineering colleges following sensational finding by the Prohibition and Excise Department.Announcing the arrest of eighth accused in the drug racket, Enforcement Director Akun Sabharwal told reporters that letters were sent to the heads of educational institutions, having sizeable number of users.Without naming the students addicted to drugs, the letters have asked the principals to keep an eye on erratic behaviour of the students. They were also advised to monitor the areas around the school as some shops were being used for selling the drugs.
The managements of schools and colleges were also asked to counsel the students on the dangers of using drugs. As children of the rich and influential were found to be spending big money on buying the narcotic substance,  parents and teachers have been advised to keep a watch on use of money and credit/debit cards by their wards.
The investigators found that students of even classes eight and nine were using drugs. parents and teachers were asked to monitor their use of mobile phones.
All accused arrested so far were peddlers and all of them were well educated. People from film industry, hospitality, and MNCs were allegedly involved in the racket.
"The department has not arrested anyone who is a user or consumer, although a legal offence under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act is made out," said Sabharwal.
The department has also set up a toll free number(1800 425 2523) so that citizens/parents/ teachers/students who have any information regarding drugs can pass it on. It promised to keep their identities confidential.