When drugs catch’em young

The horrendous incidents of youngsters taking to cold-blooded murders under the influence of drugs have triggered a discussion not only on the law and order situation in the state capital but also the spreading tentacles of the substance mafia across the state. The menace looks deep-rooted.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The back to back murders in the state capital involving drug abusers point to the alarming manner in which drug syndicate is spreading its tentacles in Kerala.

The flow of drugs to the state continues despite the efforts from the excise department. According to records, Kerala stands second when it comes to drug abuse among the states.

Though the state authorities launched various initiatives in educational institutions, the programmes are ineffective as surveys show that one in three children aged between 13 and 18 has done drugs at least once during their school years.

Interestingly, traffickers are using minors between 15 and 18 as carriers. People who work on the field say that children are being used as carriers and many of them are sent to Bangalore and Goa.

Project coordinator of Kaaval (a programme of the state government aimed at psychosocial rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law) Dr Kavitha P. of NIMHANS said that majority of these kids are from economically backward families.

Tobacco, cocaine, marijuana, injectable drugs, synthetic drugs, mushrooms and psychiatric pills are abused widely by children.

“These children are very vulnerable and fall into the trap of these traffickers very easily. Most of them are from dysfunctional families and their needs go unmet. They are initiated into substance abuse at a small level and later when they are unable to buy drugs they start drug pedalling,” says Ms Kavitha.

She said that such children with underlying emotional trauma or mental illness could get involved in violent crimes.

“Children who are poor in studies or with learning difficulties tend towards substance abuse. Children with high-risk behaviours should be identified. Timely psychosocial intervention could help them bring back to a normal life,” she adds.

With the state authorities making prescriptions mandatory for getting drugs from medical shops, youngsters are going to various Tamil Nadu towns and cities for getting them.

“They bring it from other states, and such cases are reported in districts bordering to Tamil Nadu,” Ms Kavita adds.

As per a survey by Childline Trivandrum, 28.7 per cent of students in the district have used drugs at least once.

Director of Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu Society and Childline Fr P. D. Thomas says early intervention is the only way to prevent such criminal activities.

“Most of the youngsters who are involved in violent criminal activities and substance abuse are initiated to drugs at an early age. Effective intervention at an early age is one way to prevent this. The activities of school-level anti-narcotic clubs need to be strengthened. There should be more participation on the part of teachers. The clubs are not holding regular meetings,” says Fr Thomas.  

As per the survey, relatives or friends of 68.9 per cent of the students use drugs, and 39.8 per cent of students wish to try drugs.

There has been a sharp increase in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) cases, too. The drug traffickers seem to be having an easy going despite excise and police claims on strict vigil. The drug mafia is targeting students, youth and workers from outside the state, too.

Ganja is widely in use., especially among the students and workers. Synthetic drugs like Ecstasy, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), LSD and prescription drugs are which are easily available across the counter.

Clearly, a more intense awareness programme is needed in educational institutions including schools and colleges to sensitise them about the dangerous effect of drugs and psychotropic substances.

It goes without saying that more youngsters are getting into the drug chain through their friends.

The drug mafia targets students early on. Once they get hold of a student, they manage to spread their wings through him. But for supply, they stick to only a couple of students to keep the activity under wraps.

Though the anti-narcotic clubs constituted in schools are aimed at checking the supply of drugs on campuses, these clubs have not been active in all institutions.