Letter to the editor – March 20, 2025

Re -destruction

The Israeli attack in Gaza is only grief and scary. Whatever is happening is the result of the failure of global organizations that need to curb aggression and apply peace. The only wonder is what will have an impact on young people, which will tolerate many stains.

Dipathika Murahiirio,

Hyderabad

Kerala and drug abuse

While an increase in drug abuse in Kerala is a cause of concern, analysis, “Kerala drug risk is widespread and increasing” (‘Datapaoint, 19 March), drugs and psychotropic substances and psychotropic substances (NDPS) Acts a perfectly confused picture by fully relying on the number of cases registered under the Act.

The perception that the increase in NDPS cases is correlated with an increase in drug abuse, is simple. There are alternative explanations for an increase in registered cases. The enhanced law enforcement effort is one. Better tracking, active raids, and community reporting contribute to this bounce rather than a real increase in drug consumption. AI-operated surveillance, digital forensic and future policing have also improved a lot of drug detection.

Unlike other states, where the use of recreational drug is often ignored, Kerala has very little tolerance for drug abuse, causing hard enforcement. The collective consciousness theory of émile durkheim suggests that society with strong moral norms make distracted behavior more aggressively criminals. Thus, high number of NDP cases of Kerala may reflect strong social and legal reactions.

There are also many major indicators that will provide more accurate images.

First, the type and volume of drugs were seized. The nature of drug abuse (synthetic drugs versus natural substance) is an important factor in assessing the severity of the issue.

Second, sentence rate. A high number of cases registered with a low sentence rate highlights disabilities in the legal system only. Third, health-based indicators. Hospital entry, overdose case, and rehabilitation center data are more reliable measures of drug addiction than data registration data.

The main issue here is mainly in the form of a law and order problem rather than a public health crisis. Kerala ranks less in drug smuggling, but there is no explanation as to why the state still register so many cases under the NDPS Act.

There is also an issue of criminalization of drug users. Targeting consumers instead of trafficers leads to over-polyming and a crowded judicial system without addressing the root causes of addiction. There is also neglect of loss-less strategies. Countries like Portugal have successfully reduced the misuse of drugs by transferring to rehabilitation and decimalization from punitive perspective. Without a similar change in perspective, law enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis.

Of Amarnath.

Krishnagar, Nadia, West Bengal