Kochi: The Anti-Drug Week campaign organized by the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Anti-Drug Committee came to a close with a powerful public event at Gandhi Square, Kacheripady, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic and governmental intervention to combat the deepening drug crisis in the state.
The valedictory function was inaugurated by Prasad Kuruvila, State Secretary of the KCBC Anti-Drug Committee, who issued a scathing critique of the current state machinery’s inability to tackle the surging spread of narcotics. He warned that the unchecked rise in the distribution and abuse of deadly substances is pushing Kerala into a state of fear and unpredictability, where violent consequences including murders within families are becoming a horrifying possibility.
Kuruvila stressed that intelligence mechanisms must go beyond superficial operations and begin mapping drug users to trace back the source of the mafia operations. “The user is not the criminal; he is the victim,” he stated. “Punishment must not be the priority treatment and rehabilitation should be.” He urged the government to summon the courage to dismantle the well-entrenched drug mafia, calling for a united response involving all enforcement bodies.
Highlighting the importance of inter-departmental coordination, he urged the excise, police, and forest revenue departments to intensify their efforts and operate with synergy in the battle against drug addiction. According to Kuruvila, the spread of narcotics is not merely a law-and-order issue but a moral and social emergency that demands an integrated and resolute response.
Fr. Joseph Sherin Chemmayath presided over the session, reinforcing the Church’s continued commitment to protecting Kerala’s youth and families from the grip of addiction. He emphasized the role of faith-based communities in education, awareness, and rehabilitation.
Several key figures addressed the gathering, including K.V. Cletus, M.D. Raphael, Jestin Maliyekkal, Dixon, Alex Mullaparamban, and Jude Thaddeus, all of whom echoed the urgent need for long-term, collective action to dismantle the drug menace at its roots.
The KCBC Anti-Drug Week featured a wide range of activities across parishes and institutions, aimed at raising awareness among children, youth, and parents about the dangers of substance abuse. With the campaign now concluded, Church leaders have vowed to continue their fight through sustained grassroots initiatives, pushing for stronger laws, vigilant communities, and compassionate rehabilitation.