Drug abuse among Kerala’s youth has become a pressing social issue, with alarming incidents of children openly consuming narcotics in front of their parents and engaging in violent behavior due to addiction. In response, the Kerala Police have stepped in to rescue and rehabilitate affected individuals by providing treatment at de-addiction centers.
Many parents live in fear, hesitant to confront their children about drug abuse due to violent retaliation. There have been tragic cases where children, enraged by their parents’ refusal to fund their drug habit, have resorted to extreme violence, including murder. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the police launched an operation after receiving anonymous complaints from mothers. Now, concerned parents can seek immediate assistance by dialing 9497927797, allowing the police to intervene and transfer the child to a rehabilitation center.
The initiative, spearheaded by ADGP Manoj Abraham, focuses on young individuals aged 15 to 30. In just three days, 21 individuals battling addiction at home have already been transferred to de-addiction centers, which include government, private, and religious institutions. These centers provide professional medical care, psychological counseling, therapy, and addiction treatment under expert supervision. To ensure safety, the police will provide security arrangements, and in some cases, parents will stay with their children during rehabilitation. The government has also been urged to establish treatment facilities within government hospitals.
The scale of the drug menace is evident from recent statistics. In January and February alone, 588 children under the age of 18 sought treatment at de-addiction centers across the state. Minister M.B. Rajesh reported that 2,880 children sought treatment in 2024, a significant rise compared to 1,982 in 2023, 1,238 in 2022, and 681 in 2021. De-addiction centers are now operational in every district to address this crisis.
To further tackle drug abuse, the public is encouraged to report drug consumption, trafficking, and sales by calling the 24/7 control room at 9497979794. The police stress the importance of community involvement, urging parents and citizens to take a stand against substance abuse.
“This initiative was born out of the desperate calls from mothers. Parents must come forward courageously to help save their children.”
— Manoj Abraham, ADGP, Law & Order
