Anti-narcotic Cell

Host Institution: BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal

Academic Year: 2025–2026

Lead Counselor: Mr. Bristo Mathew (Anti-Narcotic Cell Coordinator)

​During the academic year 2025–2026, the Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College conducted a comprehensive series of 12 counseling sessions. Led by Coordinator Mr. Bristo Mathew, these sessions targeted the student body to build psychological resilience against substance pressure.

​Substance Awareness: Educating students on the physiological and neurological damage caused by synthetic drugs and alcohol.

​Behavioral Intervention: Identifying at-risk students and providing a confidential space for guidance.

​Resistance Training: Equipping students with “Refusal Skills” to combat peer pressure.

​Mental Health Support: Addressing the underlying stress and anxiety that often lead to drug dependency.

The Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, in association with G-TEC and the Excise Department, organized an Outreach Awareness Programme on Drug and Alcohol Abuse on 25-11-2025 at Cherpunkal. The event aimed to educate students and the local community on the dangers of substance abuse and to promote a drug-free environment.

The programme recorded the participation of 200 individuals, including students, faculty members, and residents of the locality. Their active involvement contributed significantly to the success of the event.

The session was formally inaugurated by Ms. Jecksy, Excise Inspector, who highlighted the growing concerns of drug and alcohol abuse among youth. In her address, she emphasized the crucial role of educational institutions and awareness initiatives in preventing substance-related issues.

A detailed and informative presentation was delivered by Mr. Bristo Mathew, Coordinator of the Anti-Narcotic Cell, BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal.

The Excise Department, in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, organized a debate competition on October 27 at 10:00 AM. The event was held at CMS College, Kottayam, and aimed to promote awareness against drug abuse while encouraging students to develop strong communication and critical thinking skills.

A total of 12 teams participated in the competition, each presenting well-prepared arguments on issues related to drug abuse and its impact on individuals and society. The participants demonstrated excellent debating skills, confidence, and deep understanding of the subject matter.

Among the participants, James John and Nimisha from BVM Holy Cross College performed exceptionally well. Their arguments were clear, logical, and effectively delivered, earning them special appreciation from the judges.

The competition served as a valuable platform to sensitize students about the harmful effects of narcotics. It successfully created an opportunity to spread awareness and inspire young minds to stand firmly against drug misuse.

The event concluded with positive feedback from participants and organizers, reaffirming the importance of such initiatives in promoting a drug-free campus and society

A flash mob competition was successfully conducted on 4 October 2025 at 11:00 AM at Baselious College, Kottayam. The event was jointly organized by the Excise Department, Vimukthi, and BVM Holy Cross College as part of their ongoing efforts to promote awareness on social responsibility and to encourage youth engagement through creative expression.

A total of 13 teams from various institutions participated in the competition, showcasing vibrant, energetic, and theme-based performances. Each team displayed remarkable coordination, creativity, and enthusiasm, contributing to the overall success and excitement of the event.

After an impressive lineup of performances, BVM Holy Cross College Cherpunkal secured the First Position, earning appreciation from the judges and the audience for their outstanding choreography, synchronization, and impactful presentation.

The competition concluded on a high note, reflecting the success of the collaborative efforts of the organizers in promoting youth talent and spreading socially relevant messages through performing arts.

An awareness session titled “SAY NO TO DRUGS” was conducted on August 8 2025,Friday at St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Poonjar. The programme was organized by the Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, and took place from 3:15 PM to 4:15 PM. The session was led by Mr. Bristo Mathew, the Faculty Coordinator of the Anti-Narcotic Cell.

The primary aim of the programme was to create awareness among students about the grave consequences of drug abuse and to encourage them to lead a healthy, drug-free life. Mr. Bristo Mathew delivered an insightful and thought-provoking talk, addressing the physical, psychological, and social impacts of substance abuse. He also discussed preventive measures, the role of peer pressure, and how young individuals can resist and overcome the temptation of drugs. The “SAY NO TO DRUGS” awareness session was a significant step toward educating students and promoting a drug-free environment. The Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College, under the leadership of Mr. Bristo Mathew, remains committed to spreading awareness and fostering responsible behavior among youth.

On 6th August 2025 at 4 PM, the Anti-Narcotic Cell of BVM Holy Cross College, in collaboration with the Department of Social Work and Vimukthi, organized a powerful flash mob at Paika Town. The event aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and promote a drug-free society. Through energetic performances and impactful messages, the students conveyed a strong stance against narcotics, drawing significant attention and support from the public.

The Nerkoottam Committee has been officially established at BVM Holy Cross College to create a “Drug-Free Campus.” This student-led initiative serves as a strategic partner to the Excise Department, focusing on peer-to-peer vigilance and the prevention of substance abuse within the college community.

​Objectives

​Surveillance: Acting as the “eyes and ears” of the campus to identify and report suspicious activities.

​Direct Liaison: Maintaining a 24/7 communication channel with local Excise officials for rapid intervention.

​Legal Awareness: Educating the student body on the severe legal implications of the NDPS Act.

​Confidentiality: Providing a safe, anonymous platform for students to report drug-related issues.

​The formation of Nerkoottam marks a proactive shift in campus safety, ensuring that BVM Holy Cross College remains a secure, healthy environment for academic excellence through disciplined collaboration with law enforcement.

In observance of International Anti-Drugs Day, an awareness campaign was conducted on our college campus with the objective of sensitizing students to the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging them to stand against narcotic use.

The program commenced with a meeting with Dr. Baby Sebastian, Principal of the college, who appreciated the initiative and offered his full support and encouragement to the campaign. His words set a motivating tone for the day’s activities.

Following this, the entire college community took a collective pledge, reaffirming their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle and promising to promote awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse.

The campaign was effectively coordinated by Mr. Bristo Mathew, the Anti-Narcotic Cell Coordinator of the institution. Under his guidance, student volunteers visited all classrooms across the campus and delivered short, impactful messages highlighting the relevance of International Anti-Drugs Day in today’s social context. The messages focused on the increasing drug use among youth, its consequences, and the importance of collective responsibility in addressing this issue.

Ms. Shalima MP, faculty member, actively accompanied the students during their classroom visits, ensuring smooth coordination and support throughout the campaign.

As a part of second semester, Anti- narcotic cell and Mental health club organized an awareness class named ‘Beyond the mask’ on 30 January 2025 at St. Genesius theater, BVM college, held from 10:45 am- 12:15 pm. The class was led by Ms. Aleesha Sanisha, a social worker in CHASS, and also Mr. Rajeev, who successfully overcome his addiction through counseling and support, to share his experience. The objective of the class was to educate participants on the effect of substance abuse, foster empathy through real- life recovery stories and encourage a supportive, addiction free community. The class began with a prayer, welcome speech, presidential and felicitation address. This was followed by the interactive class led by Ms. Aleesha by addressing the dangers of substance abuse, explaining how drugs like MDMA, alcohol can lead to physical and psychological dependency. She emphasized the impact of addiction to the alcohol within the peer groups, highlighting the role of the social influence and stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help. She also introduced how Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a best choice to stop drinking. Mr. Rajeev shared his personal journey of struggling with alcohol addiction, offering a candid account of his experiences and the challenges he faced. He explained how counseling and support played a
pivotal role in his recovery and encouraged students to seek help to others whenever needed. The
class offered a supportive environment allowing students to answer and also to ask questions.
The class ended with a reminder to students about the importance of awareness, self- care, reaching
out for support and also the importance of creating an addiction free community.

The Anti-Narcotic Cell organized an awareness session to educate students and the community
about the dangers of narcotics and promote a drug-free lifestyle. The awareness session provided a crucial platform for addressing the pervasive issue of drug abuse. It united diverse perspectives, from moral and legal dimensions to community action, underscoring the need for collaborative e orts in safeguarding society against narcotics.

BVM Holy Cross College Anti Narcotic Cell organised an anti-narcotic awareness class with more than 160 students on 10-01-24 at 11.00am to 12 pm at the campus theatre The programme was inaugurated by college Principal Rev. Dr.Baby Sebatian, followed by a session on ‘Substance Abuse among Teenagers’ by Mr. Philip Thomas, Asst. Excise Inspector, Excise Range , Pala. He gave a detailed talk on various types of drugs used among students and its aftereffects. The programme helped in creating an awareness regarding the use of narcotics among college students. The programme was coordinated by anti-narcotic club coordinators Bristo Mathew and Deepa Babu.