State police chief Ravada Chandrashekhar inaugurates saliva-based drug detection kit for Kochi city police in Kochi on Saturday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Drug abuse not only destroys the entire social ecosystem but also poses a serious security threat, state police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar said here on Saturday (February 7) while inaugurating the implementation of saliva-based drug detection devices by the Kochi city police authorities.
Mr. Chandrasekhar said that the scientific drug detection kits were initially deployed for road safety enforcement and had a significant impact on traffic safety. “Their use is now being extended to fight the drug menace and the system will be introduced in all cities in the state,” he said. He urged the police to use the analyzer kits professionally, ethically and effectively.
District Superintendent of Police (Kochi City) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar presided over the meeting held at Cusat Auditorium, Kalamassery. He said each set costs more than ₹12 crore. “Despite the costs, combating drug abuse and trafficking is a shared social responsibility that requires a collective effort,” he said.
The kits were provided as part of Walkaroo Foundation’s CSR initiative in collaboration with Rotary Police Engagement (ROPE) and Rotary Club of Cannanore Seaside. According to the release, former state police chief and Kochi Metro Rail Limited managing director Loknath Behera, deputy commissioner Aswathy Jiji, Walkaroo Foundation chairman V. Naushad, Rotary International district governor GN Ramesh and registrar Cusat Arun AU were present.
Published – 07 Feb 2026 21:15 IST