Excise finds increased usage of new-gen drugs among youth in Kerala

Kannur: Kerala Excise finds increased usage of new-gen drugs among young age drug addicts. Exchange and usage of highly dangerous drugs like M.D.M.A., which was widespread in the cities such as Bengaluru is now getting widespread in many parts of Kerala, especially Kannur, the district situated at the northern end of Kerala.

The excise nabbed 108.7 grams of MDMA which worth lakhs of rupees from Taliparamba and Irikkur in Kannur in the last few days. This is an offence punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment for possession of just one gram.

The excise had a special drive from November 25 to Jan 1 against drug since the exchange and consumption of drugs is in excess during the Christmas and new year season. The MDMAs captured is about twice the size of the average monthly figures.

62 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 have been reported during the special drive for possession and consumption of drugs. There were only 43 cases last December. The fact that they are possessed and consumed by young people under the age of 22 has increased the seriousness of the issue.

Apart from MDMA, LSD and other painkillers are widespread among the youth. According to sources, the agents who deliver cannabis are behind the new-gen drug pills as well.

The excise has concluded that there are at least ten agents in Kannur who are supplying these new-gen drugs.

Study finds that the usage of these drugs that are not widespread among the common people can cause severe consequences.

"The excise has decided to treat people under the age of 21 who are addicted to cannabis and drugs for free at the psychiatric rehabilitation centres. We are also collecting information on these children," Deputy Excise Commissioner M.S. Ansari Beegu told Madhyamam.

Since exchanging and hiding such new gen pills are easy, finding them has posed a serious challenge to excise. Known by many nicknames, these drugs are made to cross the borders by targeting the youth. They are mainly arriving at the district via Bangalore.

Excise has got information that the flow of narcotics is increasing in Pazhayangadi and Taliparamba. Observations have been tightened in these areas. These drugs are arriving in Kerala through the students in Karnataka, vendors and goods vehicles.The drugs are trafficked by avoiding the checkpoint in Koottupuzha and taking the forest roads instead.

In this case, the excise has tightened the vehicle inspections at night in these borders. Out of the 1023 inspections that the special drive has conducted, 10.376 kg of cannabis,42.28 gram of sugar and 10.55 gram of cocaine.