In the clutches of narco-terrorism: With liquor bars down, Kerala is high on psychotropic drugs

Closure of bars in Kerala, except those in the five-star category, was seen as a giant leap towards liberating the Kerala society from the evils of drinking. As part of the new liquor policy of Kerala, more than 700 hotels have closed down their bars and there are now just 24 five-star hotels that serve liquor.

While the ban on liquor bars has greatly helped in controlling the evil of drinking, it has promoted another evil–drug abuse. According to official statistics disclosed in the Kerala Assembly, there has been a three-fold increase in drug abuse after bars were closed in the state.

Psychotropic drugs are being sold through medical shops in the state without any restrictions. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala himself has stated that 228 of the 234 psychotropic drugs can be freely availed from medical shops. Abuse of whitener, glue used for sticking rubber, cough syrups and bicycle-tube-solutions is on the rise. No steps have been taken to ensure that psychotropic drugs are not freely available over the counter.

There is an increase in the number of young people using drugs and other psychotropic substances. Drug abuse is reportedly rampant even in schools and colleges. DJ parties are being organised in hotels, resorts and apartments to promote sale of narcotics like Hashish, Marijuana, Cocaine, LSD stamps etc. Recently, the police arrested six persons, including a Russian national, during a raid on a DJ party in a five-star hotel in Kochi and seized narcotics, including ketamine and ganja, from them.

A recent multi-state survey conducted by National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences revealed that 74 % children in Kerala use tobacco. The study identifies alcohol, tobacco and inhalants as common initial substances of abuse and they are described as ‘gateway substances’. These substances are easily available to the children and there is some form of social acceptance for their use. However, the use of these gateway substances increases the subsequent risk of transition to harder and illicit substances, the study notes.

Students and youths are influenced by films that glorify drug abuse. The Government is now thinking of approaching the Regional Film Censor Board authorities to check films which promote drug abuse.

The intelligence agencies are exploring the possibility of any link between terrorist activities and drugs, especially in the backdrop of reports that Maoists are promoting cultivation of ganja plants and the proceeds of drug trade are being used to fund terrorist activities. There are also reports that contraband goods are largely being smuggled to Kerala from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar.

“Maoists are indulging in narco-terrorism and promoting cultivation of ganja plants. They are using that money for terrorist activities. It has come to the Government’s notice that vested interests are trying to amass money for terrorist activities by smuggling drugs,” said the Home Minister while replying to a submission in the state Assembly. Narco terrorism has of late become a threat not only to India but the whole world.

Early this year, Kerala Government had launched a major campaign “Subodham” to help people in the state overcome abuse of alcohol, drug and other substances. The campaign, launched with the blessings of Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravishankar, aims to free one lakh people from drug and alcohol addiction each year. It is also proposed to include anti-drug and alcohol awareness content in the state curriculum from the next academic year.

But the lure of drug seems to outstrip the governmental efforts of checking the menace.

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