THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An estimated 5 per cent of children between the age group of 6-17, in Kerala, are victims of substance abuse. The state has apparently seen a 78 per cent rise in drugs and narcotics related crimes since 2014.
With the numbers surging, authorities claim to be registering 10-15 cases in a day, and blame low staff strength for their inability to control the problem. Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh said, "We are registering 10-15 cases everyday. In 60 days, we have registered 3,000 cases under Abkari Act and 500 cases against drug abuse. We are registering cases and conducting awareness camps. We are determined to take strong action but we can't do everything just with our small team."
There are just 46 drug controllers for the entire region, with over 19,000 medical shops. The pharmacies have strict orders from the government, and even then, a sting operation showed that one could easily avail heavy dosages of pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. At the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, a psychology student in his twenties, admitted at a de-addiction centre that access to banned substances is not a difficult task at all.
"I have used LSD and other substances. Access is very easy once you get the contacts. It could be from autorickshaw drivers to receptionists or waiters. There are many who can lead you. The network is well spread. In Kerala there are not much codes. Agents identify you based on your physical features," he says.
