Rooting out drug abuse

Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has announced the second phase of the anti-drug campaign, ‘Operation Toofan – The Narco Hunt.’ The Chief Minister will inaugurate it next week. Launched by the government with the aim of ensuring a drug-free life for individuals, families, and society in the state, this initiative has gained public acceptance. Through public cooperation, awareness campaigns, and legal action, the Home Department was able to achieve significant progress during the first phase alone; nearly 12,000 people were arrested in more than 10,000 cases during the initial 100 days.Large quantities of narcotic substances, including MDMA, have been seized. Official crackdowns have exposed the extent of the deep-rooted "poison tree" of drug abuse in society. The picture one can see today is alarming; international drug mafias have successfully turned the tiny state of Kerala into a major market for their trade. In addition to traditional intoxicants, synthetic substances are being sold here on a large scale. Robust distribution networks operate within campuses, with drug mafias luring students and young people into their traps through various means. Although confronting a criminal network capable of potentially subverting even state machinery is no easy task, the progress achieved so far demonstrates that a determined government can succeed in this endeavour with the support of civil society and public movements.

Authorities have managed to apprehend several intermediaries involved in the addiction trade run by international drug mafias targeting Kerala. It is shocking to realise that individuals operating across various sectors of society are links in this network. The state is now transitioning from the initial phase—focused on curbing drug sales—to a second phase aimed at identifying and eliminating the sources of these narcotics. We have come to realise that drug abuse is a dragon spreading its reach across campuses, marketplaces, and even into our homes. Lives are being shattered, and domestic violence is on the rise due to substance abuse. There are instances where a son hacks his father to death or assaults his mother after being reprimanded for drug use; children and relatives, in a drug-induced frenzy, have even killed their own kin. Numerous crimes committed under the influence of drugs are being reported. In all such cases—including murders—the true culprits are the drug traffickers, even more so than those who have fallen victim to addiction. Drug producers and distributors are criminals who deliberately enslave people for profit. Those who succumb to substance abuse—whether ensnared in traps set by these dealers or driven by circumstances—are victims rather than criminals. Our collective conscience needs to evolve to recognise this reality. Individuals seeking freedom from addiction without sacrificing their privacy or self-respect deserve empathy and support; humiliation and stigmatisation only yield counterproductive results. Treating victims like criminals is unjust.

It is expected that the second phase will devise measures that are more dignified and effective than publicly shaming individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse. With public cooperation, the ‘Toofan’ campaign is now extending to the villages. An anti-drug investigation team has already been constituted. The ‘Toofan Care’ system, designed to rehabilitate those suffering from substance abuse, represents another laudable step; several hospitals have come forward to collaborate with this initiative. Alongside ‘Toofan 2.0’—aimed at eradicating the root causes of the drug menace—it is crucial to intensify and expand the awareness campaigns that were initiated at the outset. Testimonials from affected individuals and their families, evidence regarding drug-related crimes, and media-driven publicity will yield positive results. Anti-drug education starting at the school level, the involvement of trained teachers and counsellors, initiatives at the family and community levels, and the proactive cooperation of local self-government bodies are essential. To achieve the stated goal of 'Operation Toofan'—specifically, the destruction of supply sources—every channel through which drugs enter society must be blocked. These channels include alcohol, which has unfortunately gained social acceptance today; the spread of alcohol must also be curbed. Until the government moves away from its reliance on alcohol revenue,  by identifying alternative income sources, the threat of substance abuse will continue to lurk in our midst, waiting for an opportunity to strike.