'Faced with a bleak future, yet burdened with pressure': Rahul Gandhi on Kerala’s rising drug concerns

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday raised the issues of rampant drug abuse in Kerala.Rahul shared a video of him having a discussion on the matter with radio jockey Joseph Annamkutty Jose, clinical psychologist Aditya Ravindran and homeopathic physician Fathima Asla.Quoting Ravindran who summarised the bleak situation as- “If you do not fill the minds of youth with hope, they will fill their veins with dope” - Rahul the issue had become a coping mechanism in the state."This line resonates deeply because it encapsulates the pain so many young people in Kerala and across the country are forced to endure. Faced with a bleak future, yet burdened with pressure, our youth are turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. We must do more to give them hope, support and purpose and work together to save our children from the perils of drug abuse," he said.The experts said that last year, there were over 27,000 cases of drug abuse in the state.To address the issue, Kerala government has allocated Rs 12 crore for Vimukthi, the state excise department’s anti-drug and alcohol addiction campaign. The Vimukthi awareness mission aims to create an intoxicant-free Kerala by educating young people about the dangers of narcotic substances and curbing the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The campaign also focuses on preventing hoarding and smuggling of these substances while promoting de-addiction and rehabilitation efforts.