Kerala's drug crisis sees over 30,000 cases this year

Kerala is facing a serious problem with drug abuse. In 2022, every district in the state recorded at least 500 cases involving drugs. This situation is unique in India and has raised alarms among officials. The number of drug-related cases has been rising rapidly over the past three years. In 2021, there were 5,695 cases under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. This number jumped to 26,619 in 2022 and exceeded 30,000 in 2023. In 2024, Kerala had over 27,700 drug-related cases. The state has been more affected than others. Maharashtra, which had the second-highest cases, recorded only half as many as Kerala in 2023. In the following year, Punjab came next, but still had only a third of Kerala's total cases. Unlike some other states, where drug problems are often limited to cities, Kerala's issue is widespread across its districts. In 2022, no district had more than 10% of the total cases, making police enforcement very challenging. A large majority of cases in Kerala are for possession of drugs, not trafficking. In 2022, 94% of cases were for possession, while only 6% were related to trafficking. This suggests a different pattern of drug abuse in Kerala compared to other states. Local authorities, including the Chief Minister and the Governor, are taking steps to combat this trend. Campaigns and meetings with educational leaders are aimed at tackling drug use among students and the broader community. The state is determined to fight this escalating drug problem.