The menace of drug addiction

Drug addiction has become a matter of major concern in recent years for the society and the nation alike with the number of youngsters getting addicted to the vice increasing at an alarming rate.

The youth unaware of its adverse effects, get addicted to drugs supplied by the drug mafia after experimenting with it out of curiosity or social pressure. According to a survey conducted by the UN in 2014, around 16 crore people across the world consume illegal drugs. The peddlers target the youngsters with the sole aim of making financial gains and are least bothered about the harmful effects it inflicts on the society. In Kerala too, the ‘drug culture’ has become highly rampant. There has been a rise in the incidents of illicit drug trafficking, the reports of which have been finding a place in the newspapers on a daily basis. The influence of the drug mafia is increasing despite the stringent actions taken by the lawmakers. The matter therefore becomes relevant and should be treated with the seriousness deserved.

According to the reports by the State Crime Records Bureau, the number of drug related cases are currently on a hike. As per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, around 2233 drug related cases have been registered in 2014. The number is much high when compared to the total number of similar cases charged in the previous years. It was 769 in 2010, 693 in 2011, 696 in 2012 and 974 in 2013. The drugs are easily available and at a cheap cost. The drug mafia targets the youngsters and provides all other necessary amenities including hukkas. They cater to the customer needs usually at resorts and DJ parties. The youth has been identified as the emerging market and therefore, all facilities are provided by the mafia to lure them into traps. Despite the ‘shadow police’ deployed extensively, the police have not been able to hunt down or curb the moves and the influence of the drug mafia due to the shortage of human resources and their limitations.

Studies have shown that consuming drugs increases the risk of heart attack, and causes kidney failure and doubting diseases. The person is likely to suffer from depression and insomnia which may eventually lead to suicidal tendency. The police should adopt stricter measures to curb the presence as well influence of the drug mafia on the society especially the youth. The appointment of T P Senkumar as the new State Police Chief is looked upon with positive hope by the people. The police should also be bolstered by the High Court Division Bench verdict that calls for taking action against the criminals who enslave juveniles to drugs, as per the Gunda Act. Not only the police and the judiciary but the society should be equally cooperating as well in uprooting the drug mafia and their activities by isolating them and informing the police of their moves, if known. The parents too must be vigilant about their children and their moves in order to prevent them from falling into such traps.