Kerala Police Unveil PODA Workplace Drug-Prevention Pilot to Begin in January 2026

Overview

• New hires would sign an abstinence pledge and give consent for periodic drug testing, with positive results potentially triggering disciplinary action up to dismissal.
• Police say leading industry bodies have agreed in principle to participate, with an initial cohort of about 21 companies covering roughly 1,100 employees.
• The first phase will run in the private sector, with possible extension to government institutions subject to state government approval.
• Testing intervals will be set by participating companies in coordination with the police administration.
• The rollout follows the D-Hunt drive recording 30,991 narcotics cases in 2025, which the police cite as the enforcement backdrop for the prevention push.