Campaign against Drug abuse in Rajagiri College of Social Science, Kerala.
Photo credit- Rishikesh
In August 2022, a badly injured 23-year-old man's body was discovered wrapped in a sheet in an apartment duct on the 16th floor of a building near Kochi's IT centre. The flat the bachelors were renting turned out to be a hub for drug use and trafficking, according to the investigators.
A dispute over an Rs. 50,000 cash transaction involving narcotics is said to have led to the murder.
The administration and the general public in Kerala were both concerned about drug-related crimes. The transportation of narcotics from one location to another involves a large number of young people.
In its substitute, synthetic psychoactive chemicals like LSD and MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) are utilized. Coke and other more expensive narcotics have also come into the nation via shipment from neighbouring countries or through areas like Goa and Bengaluru.
It is unsettling to see indications of an increase in drug usage. Teenagers under 18 were disproportionately involved in the surge in crime caused by the availability of synthetic substances in the states. They are empowered to perform horrific things with narcotic medicines that remove all inhibitions.
Criminal activity has increased as a result of the drug epidemic; C.H. Nagaraju, Inspector General of Police and District Police Chief for Kochi City, said that instead of stopping drug dealers, "we now prioritise pushing up the supply chain to the source of narcotics."
Kerala has seen an increase in MDMA instances, particularly in the region of Ernakulam. From 600.72 gm in 2020 to 6.58 kg in 2021 to 1.94 kg up to June this year, the quantity seized in the Ernakulam area alone increased.
The Malabar region's drug cartels have trapped the majority of minors. Sixty youngsters were taken into custody in Kozhikode city on suspicion of drug usage and thefts committed in groups.
6,704 people were arrested for drug-related offences in 2021 compared to 5,674 in 2020, according to the Kerala Excise Department's five-year total of 31,607 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
By October of the current year, 18,743 people had been imprisoned under the NDPS Act. In the first nine months of this year, it was discovered that 1,364.49 kg of marijuana, 7.7 kg of MDMA, and 23.73 kg of hashish oil had been produced.
The burden facing drug enforcement organizations has grown as a result of young children's use of synthetic drugs. In Kerala's northern regions, notably, juvenile delinquents are mostly utilized as drug couriers.
Global data
OurWorldInData.org estimates that each year over 11.8 million people worldwide lose their lives due to drug usage, another 11.4 million did so prematurely, and 3.5 lakh perished from drug overdoses. Every year on 26th June, there is an international day of observance against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
To raise awareness against drug usage, the Kerala government has launched various initiatives in several schools and universities. A program called "Ithiri Kali Othhiri Kaaryam" was recently held at the Government Children's Home in Kakkanad on 19th November, with the help of CWC to raise awareness about the children who are residing under various childcare facilities in Ernakulam.
Additionally, several essays and drawing contests were held in schools, universities, and childcare facilities across Kerala to discourage kids from taking part in these risky activities.
Governmental action plan
To combat these drug instances, the Keralan government has launched a variety of strategies. Courses on the effects of drugs on the body and brain are taught as part of preventive education.
To provide counselling to the children who are drug abuse victims, various counsellors were sent to various schools and universities, particularly to childcare facilities where the victims are housed.
The big "No to Drugs" campaign was started by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan last month on October 6. He claimed that saving future generations was a battle for life or death.
In Kerala, narcotics are reportedly trafficked from Bangalore and Goa, where these states also import pharmaceuticals from other countries, according to several authorities. In addition to increasing drug use, states now have a higher crime rate, which makes police work harder.
To counter the usage of drugs, every state should come and work together. Not only will the youngsters get infected by drugs, but our whole nation will get infected in the future if no appropriate actions have been taken.
Written By - Rishikesh Kumar
Edited By - Rumela Gupta
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