Excise minister M V Govindan terms majority in youth organisations as drunkards

Thiruvananthapuram: MV Govindan, Kerala Minister for Local Bodies and Excise and senior leader of the CPI-M, in a statement that would spark controversy said that most of the youth working in student and youth organizations in Kerala are either alcoholics or regular users of drugs and other narcotics.

The minister in a function on Sunday after addressing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking said that most of the youth who lead anti-drug and anti-alcohol campaigns are addicted to the same.

He said that a strong awareness campaign is required to prevent the youth of the state and added that several youths who are involved in anti-drug and anti-liquor campaigns are themselves addicted to these substances, according to IANS.

The Minister said that he did not expect these young people to participate in the campaign against alcohol and drugs. He said, "The trend of alcoholism is declining in Kerala but the number of alcoholics in youth and student organisations is on the rise."

He said that when awareness programmes were conducted by the Excise Department with the youth organisations, it was found that most of the youths who belong to these organisations were hooked on alcohol and drugs.

Govindan came out strongly against the drug menace in the state and said drugs worth Rs 1,500 crore were seized in the state. He said that the people of the state need to be more vigilant against the abuse of alcohol and drugs so that the menace can be brought to a halt.