Kerala Assembly Expresses Concern over Growing Drug Use in State

 Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday expressed serious concern regarding the increasing use of psychotropic substances, particularly new-age-drugs, among the youth in the state.

Congress MLA P C Vishnunadh, who moved an adjournment motion addressing the drug menace, highlighted recent crime incidents in which children committed heinous acts against their parents. He criticised the absence of an effective intelligence system within the excise depremnt, which has hindred the effective curbing of drug trafficking.

He called for strict enforcement mechanisms across hte state against drug abuse.

Opposition leader V D Stheeshan alleged that there is an influx of drugs into Kerala, including from neighbouring states. He stated that chemical drugs such as MDMA and LSD staps are reaching Kerala.

Satheeshan claimed that these substances are readily available in schools, colleges, hostels public places, beaches, hotels and abandoned houses. He questioned the source of the overwhelming quantity of drugs entering Kerala, pointing out that, despite the large amounts arriving, the seizures made by authorities are minimal.

He sought to ask Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about the commitment made in 2022 to wage a war on drugs. The opposition parties also pledged their full support for this initiative . However, three years later, it appears that all the measures announced are merely on paper.

Excise Minister M B Rajesh while responding to the motion, admitted that drug use was increasing in the state. However, he denied the allegation that Kerala had become the epicentre of India's drug trade.

Citing the "Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India "report from 2019, the excise minister stated that substance abuse in Kerala was the lowest in the country. He mentioned that effective measures were being taken to curb the menace.

The minister noted that in 2024, 24,517 persons were arrested in Kerala in connection with the drug and narcotic-related cases , which is the highest number in the country.

Rajesh emphasised that Kerala has an impressive conviction rate of 98.9 per cent which is significantly higher than the national average of 78 per cent. Additionally, he noted that Kerala's share of the total drugs seized in the country in 2023 was only Rs 60 crore out of the Rs 16,000 crore total.