Drug abuse on a rise in state

The recent incidents in the state prove that not only liquor consumption but also drug addiction is on a rise in Kerala.

Malayalam film actor, Shine Tom Chacko and four others including women were arrested from a flat by the city police at Kadavanthra in Kochi for possessing cocaine weighing 10 grams. The youngsters were taken into custody during a “Smoker’s party”, an affair that is rampant now in the film industry for discussing new generation films. The flat is owned by King’s group owner and controversial businessman Muhammed Nizam, who was arrested recently for ramming his vehicle against a security guard in Thrissur. Affluential people and bigwigs of the society are alleged to be involved in such affairs. The social media like Facebook and advanced technologies like Watsapp lure the young generation into such traps like liquor, drugs and other immoral activities. Neither the government nor the political parties and the cultural outfits seem to be bothered about the deteriorating circumstances. The most literate state of the country is gradually displaying its demonizing aspects with people concerned only with taking advantages and reaping the benefits.

The latest liquor ban controversy is an instance. The government had ordered to reopen the closed bars, permit licenses for new bars and lift the ban on liquor sale with the help of court orders, all against the new imposed liquor policy. The rampant growth of the cocaine mafia that is afflicting the educational institutions are only due to the negligence and irresponsibility of the concerned persons. The accused if caught are easily freed only to return to the illegal business. According to the statements of the accused, the drugs were brought in from Goa. Goa, Delhi and Mumbai are known as the drug capitals in the international market. Cocaine is now easily available to the country’s affluent middle class and the alleged drug deals have become the main source of income for the terrorists. While crores are being spent for hunting down the Maoists and terrorists, it is a shame that the drug mafia and their activities are not given adequate seriousness. Not only the governments but also the political, religious, social and cultural outfits have an equal role to play in the matter along with the media. The pull towards such illegal and immoral activities has to be curbed.