Kerala Govt Vows to Eradicate Drug Menace: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is committed to eradicating the drug menace from the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated on Sunday. He was speaking at a high -level meeting convened in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss strategies to combat rising drug abuse.
The Chief Minister highlighted the alarming increase in drug use, particularly among children, and the growing tendency toward violent behaviour. He stressed that tackling this crisis requires not only government action but also active public participation.
"Eliminating drug abuse demands both administrative measures and social intervention. This meeting aims to formulate effective strategies to achieve that goal,'' Vijayan said. He also urged representatives from various sectors to contribute new ideas and recommendations to strengthen the campaign against drugs.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need for teachers to address the psychological struggles faced by students today. Special training will be required to equip them for this responsibility. While social and domestic issues cannot always be reversed, efforts must be made to mitigate their impact, he noted.
He also called upon parents to foster better understanding with their children. Instead of isolating them at home, he encouraged parents to provide opportunities for children to interact with their peers in a healthy social environment.

The drug menace is not limited to Kerala or India—it is a global crisis, Vijayan pointed out. He cited data from the United Nations, stating that the number of drug users worldwide was 240 million a decade ago. By 2021, this had surged to 296 million, marking a dramatic increase.

"Drug abuse among children is a growing international concern, and drug trafficking is a worldwide problem. However, we cannot afford to remain passive. Our mission should be to save even the last person from falling victim to this menace,'' he asserted.

A Massive Anti-Drug Campaign

Earlier, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would launch a large -scale anti-drug campaign. This initiative will involve a coordinated effort, bringing together various sections of society to fight the growing narcotics threat.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by subject experts, leaders from youth and student organisations, representatives from the film, cultural, and media industries, as well as teachers’ associations and the Parent- Teacher Association.