Kerala Is About To Become The Udta Punjab Of The South In The Next 5 Years

God's own country has a drug problem.

Kochi, Kerala's commercial capital, ranks number 3 on the list of Indian cities with a heavy drug addiction

"Kerala may find itself in the same position as that of Punjab in the next five years as far as drug abuse and trafficking are concerned, if stringent and effective measures are not taken to control the menace," said Kerala Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh.

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Last year, erstwhile Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala noted that the state's move towards prohibition had the state even fonder of getting high. A three-fold spike in drug abuse was reported after 700 hotels were forced to shut down their bars. A year before, Kerala restricted the sale of liquor to five-star hotels, in a bid to slowly phase out alcohol by the end of the decade.

Every single day, 1 or more cases are reported

The district crime records bureau (DCRB) said that the city police had registered 150 cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between January and April 2015.

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However, the main concern of police is the entry of high-end drugs like cocaine, LSD and MDMA in city. "Night parties came under police radar based on intelligence input that the use of high-end drugs is rampant at such events. The recent seizure of ketamine, ganja and a packaged narcotic substance is our proof," said an officer.

Who is bringing in the drugs?

According to Chennithala, Maoists were indulging in 'narco terrorism' and promoting cultivation of ganja plants. "They are using that money for terrorist activities." He also pointed out that psychotropic substances were freely available in medical stores. "Of the 234 psychotropic medications, 228 are freely available in the medical shops," said Chennithala.

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A police officer also blamed drugs coming into Kochi from other cities: "The flow of drugs from other cities cannot be controlled by city police enforcing the law. Zero enforcement in cities like Goa is affecting enforcement activities in cities like Kochi, Bengaluru and Chennai. Persons held with high-end drugs have admitted that the substances were primarily sourced from Goa," he said.

Kerala's homemade high

The move towards total prohibition has given rise to a fast-growing parallel market for its substitutes ranging from illicit brews and adulterated toddy to narcotics and even Ayurveda medicines containing alcohol.

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With many ayurvedic drug manufacturers increasing the alcohol content in arishtam, a herbal concoction, from less than 12% to about 25%-30%, several 'dawa' points across the state are fast becoming 'daaru' points. According to Dr D Ramanathan, secretary at Ayurveda Medicine Manufacturers Association of India, 10% of the state's ayurvedic drug manufacturing units are manufacturing stronger arishtams for tipplers.

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The number of narcotic cases registered by the excise department has increased substantially in recent months. Contraband seized recently include ganja, ganja paste, ampoules of drugs that can be injected and brown sugar.

Getting inebriated is in Kerala's blood

25% of all hospital admissions, and 69% of all crimes in Kerala caused by intoxication, according to Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, an NGO. In 2013, it was reported that incompetent police and drug control department have led to drug peddlers distributing illegal tranquilizer drugs among school and college students.

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"School-college students are the major consumers of psychotropic substances and tranquilizers," said Jaleel Thottathil, sub-inspector of Medical College Circle. They prefer such drugs as they can easily hide it in their school bags and pockets, he said.

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The psychotropic drugs usually sold only on prescription in Kerala are purchased from other states and distributed among students, said police. While the actual price of the tablet is Rs 33, the dealers charge up to Rs 350. Possibility of under-the-counter deals between pharmacists and drug peddlers is also under investigation.

How dealers get kids hooked

The drug peddlers find their 'customers' by offering them tablets for free for a few days, said officials. Later these students will be forced to pay money and even forced to trap his friends to get the tablets from the drug pusher, they said.