Social intervention vital to end drug use among children: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated on Sunday that the government's objective is to root out drug abuse from the state.

Pinarayi Vijayan has called for collective action to combat the growing menace of drug abuse in the state. At a high-level meeting, he emphasised the need for both government initiatives and public participation to tackle the issue effectively.

He highlighted the alarming rise in drug use and violent tendencies among children, posing a serious threat to society.

"To eliminate drug abuse, both administrative measures and social intervention are necessary. This meeting is aimed at formulating effective strategies to achieve that goal," Vijayan said.

He further noted that representatives from various sectors attending the meeting could contribute new ideas and recommendations.

“In today's world, teachers should address psychological issues that prevail among students. Special training will be required to equip them for this task. While it may not be possible to completely reverse the social and domestic challenges that contribute to this crisis, the meeting provides a platform to explore solutions,” he added.

CM urged parents to better understand their children and provide opportunities for social interaction, rather than confinement.

Vijayan highlighted the global nature of the drug menace, citing United Nations data that shows a significant increase in drug users worldwide, from 24 crore a decade ago to 296 crore in 2021.

He said that drug use among children is a growing international concern, and drug trafficking is a worldwide problem. However, he stated that assuming nothing can be done is not an option.

"Our mission should be to save even the last person from falling victim to the devastation of drug abuse,” he asserted.

Earlier, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would launch a big anti-drug campaign to tackle the growing menace of narcotics through a coordinated effort involving all sections of society.

Sunday's meeting was attended by subject experts, leaders of youth and student organisations, representatives of the film, cultural, and media industries, as well as teachers' associations and the Parent Teachers Association.

(inputs from PTI)