The vision of a drug-free Kerala is not just an aspiration but a potential reality that can be realized through the collective efforts of our political parties. Imagine a Kerala that embodies its reputation as “God’s Own Country,” a haven of peace and health where our people can thrive without substance abuse. This vision would undoubtedly be a blessing for all Keralites.
The love that expatriate Malayalis have for their homeland is profound and unique. It is disheartening to acknowledge that, despite Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, remarkable literacy rates, and high quality of life, we also face a significant challenge with substance abuse. The issues of politics, casteism, and drug addiction are converging to create a dangerous situation that threatens the future of our state.
To combat this crisis, politicians and governments need to take a firm stand against the drug epidemic plaguing our communities. We observe National Anti-Drug Day on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday each year, reflecting on his commitment to eradicating harmful substances from our society. Our Prime Minister has also stressed the importance of addressing drug abuse, signaling a national urgency that we must heed.
Unfortunately, the increase in drug-related incidents, particularly amongst our youth, is alarming. Reports of college students struggling with addiction and drug dealers operating near schools underscore the gravity of the situation. It’s essential to remember that addiction often begins with more socially accepted substances like alcohol and tobacco, which can lead to a slippery slope toward more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
The impact of addiction stretches far beyond the individual; it affects families, communities, and society at large. Issues such as theft, health problems, accidents, and broken relationships create a ripple effect that harms our shared values and well-being.
As we look at the global landscape regarding drug use, Kerala is not isolated in its struggles. The recent seizure of 3,000 kg of heroin in Gujarat, with a significant portion intended for our state, highlights the grave risks we face, including the financial support of terrorist activities through the drug trade.
Now is the time for action. By coming together as a community and prioritizing the eradication of drugs, we can protect our youth, restore our values, and build a healthier future for Kerala. Let’s encourage our political leaders to take decisive steps towards this goal and create a legacy of resilience and strength for future generations.
In recent years, numerous protests have been sparked by concerns surrounding alcohol and drug use. Despite ongoing anti-drug initiatives, there has been no significant decline in substance abuse, particularly in Kerala, where individuals aged 12 to 40 are predominantly affected. Studies indicate that this age group is at a higher risk of suicide, often due to the pressures and challenges they face in life. The increasing prevalence of drug addiction among youth—a demographic that holds potential for contributing positively to the country’s development—poses significant obstacles to building a resilient and industrious society, ultimately threatening the nation’s future.
Drug trafficking operations have proliferated in major urban centers, with notorious networks, such as the Kokachi drug dealer operation in Kochi, gaining notoriety for targeting affluent individuals and college students. Drugs are commonly distributed via WhatsApp groups, and a troubling trend has emerged where drugs are sold under the guise of social events like weekend parties. These gatherings often serve as a cover for the drug trade, leading many young people in Kerala into a perilous lifestyle. Disturbingly, incidents of drug-facilitated sexual assault have also been reported, causing concern about a phenomenon known as “narcotic jihad.” This alarming situation necessitates heightened public vigilance and a call for unity among political parties to combat these issues.
While the government is responsible for creating policies and relevant legislation, the successful implementation hinges on public acceptance and participation. It is crucial for political representatives, irrespective of party affiliation, to recognize the importance of these initiatives and prioritize their execution.
Historically, governments in Kerala have aimed to introduce innovative schemes to address such social problems. However, opposition parties often resist these efforts, for instance, during A. K. Antony’s tenure as Chief Minister from 1995 to 1996, he sought to implement a prohibition on liquor, leading to the closure of several bars with the goal of achieving complete prohibition within a decade. Unfortunately, the opposition capitalized on this initiative, arguing that it would jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of workers in related industries.
Currently, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan promotes the “Vimukthi” project, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. However, during the COVID pandemic, when restrictions were in place, the government allowed bars and beverage outlets to operate, which raises questions about its commitment to complete alcohol prohibition. Critics argue that instead of moving towards reducing alcohol consumption, the government has permitted more advanced avenues for alcohol sales.
It is essential to acknowledge that political parties often prioritize electoral gains, and the significant revenue generated from the liquor lobby and drug trade influences their actions. This reliance on the alcohol and drug sectors complicates efforts to implement strict regulations and underscores the challenges in addressing these pressing social issues effectively.
The most effective way to combat drug addiction is awareness. For this purpose, the government should work together, setting aside party differences, for the projects it implements, whether prohibition or liberation. We should be able to turn this into a mass movement. We should try to take the drug prevention work forward with the participation of all sections of society. This means creating anti-drug awareness from the gram panchayat ward to the state level. Every political worker should be an example from the forefront.
The government alone cannot stop the manufacture, distribution, and use of drugs. Almost all political parties have labor unions, student organizations, and ward-level feeder organizations. Therefore, with the parties’ cooperation, anti-drug committees can be formed in all government offices.
Suppose anyone is found to be selling drugs, in that case, party workers should be ready to immediately track them down, hand them over to the police without any mercy, regardless of whether they are men, women, or party members, and punish them.
Political workers should stand together and, under the leadership of the Library Council, conduct extensive campaign activities centered around rural libraries. Political parties can also be supported to conduct awareness classes, lamp lighting against drugs, reading competitions, human chains, cultural programs, street plays, house visits, etc., centered around libraries.
Therefore, there is a lot of scope for political parties to coordinate their activities to create awareness through student unions, school and college anti-drug clubs, voluntary organizations, including NSS, Kudumbashree, alcohol-free committees, student youth and women’s organizations, which have an indirect impact on politicians.
Our children and the younger generation, specifically girls, should be made aware of the evils of addiction, the future they lose due to it, and the families that are broken. Those who are suffering from drug addiction in society should be identified and taken to de-addiction centers to make them drug-free. Moreover, political workers should be committed to working with their families and organizations to keep them under close observation and prevent them from returning to addiction. No matter what plans and laws there are, there will always be mafias on the other side to manufacture or distribute drugs in secret centers by covering them up. Let them all be isolated and drug mafias not be given a chance to take root in Kerala. On the other hand, let the savings that are being made for the survival of our people never help in strengthening the schemes of extremists.
Let the political parties, abandoning their previous style of blaming each other and making mere statements for the channels, emerge as a powerhouse fighting against the evils happening in their society. Let a drug-free Kerala be the central place in the election manifestos. Let urgent steps be taken for that. Then, the public will support the political parties and their agendas.
If political party workers take a firm decision that no one will ever fall under the spell of drugs in their own homes and the society around them, there is no doubt that our Kerala will be free from the grip of drugs. Let us join hands for a drug-free Kerala, hoping to lead a brighter future generation with greater happiness and security.
