Thiruvananthapuram: Isolation turns them to ganja

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lack of entertainment options being made available for migrant workers at camps could be boosting the recreational use of ganja among workers including among some who eventually turn to peddling, says experts and social psychologists. Incidentally, most of them do not even have a television for recreation at camps set up by contractors. Since, past few months the excise officials were recovering ganja from labour camps and Kerala bound trains under a drive named 'Operation Bhai'. Around 12-kg ganja was caught from a camp Pulingudi on Thursday.

While ganja was being brought by workers who seek to earn more money in short time, those in camp consume the contraband massively, says excise official.  "It's true that American studies often relate per capital alcohol consumption to criminal activities more than ganja. However, here migrant workers act as carriers and thus pollute youths. Hence, it will be very important to distract them from such intoxicants. Film clubs, carom boards, reading rooms etc can be set up by local bodies for them," said eminent Criminologist James Vadakkamche-rry.

As per psychologists, isolation from family could be contributing to the addiction. "Studies conducted by Canadian psychologist Bruce K Alexander had earlier itself proved that isolation and unhealthy social relations lead to substance addiction," said Deebu John, a psychologist. Labour Commissio-ner K Biju said that more awareness session and health clinics were being organised for around 25 lakh migrant workers in Kerala. "Since, they are a floating population we cannot ensure that recreational facilities can be arranged. However, we do organise anti-drug awareness camps," he added.