Kerala’s High Court has raised a red flag over the alarming surge in drug-related offenses, warning that substance abuse is now infiltrating schools.
During a recent hearing, Justice VG Arun highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the State Assembly had to suspend its regular proceedings to address the crisis. “We can no longer pretend this isn’t happening. The reality is that drug abuse has spread to schools,” he remarked.
The case before the court involved a bail plea from an individual arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act). Justice Arun pointed to startling statistics, revealing that NDPS-related arrests in 2024 alone had surpassed 27,000—marking a staggering 330% increase since 2021. More troubling, he observed, is the shift from traditional cannabis use to more potent and hazardous synthetic drugs, particularly in party scenes.
Initially inclined to reject the bail application outright, the court later decided to reconsider it in the coming week. However, Justice Arun reiterated that judicial intervention is necessary when repeat offenders continue to evade consequences. “These crimes are not just individual offenses—they threaten society as a whole. Courts must step in and revoke bail when habitual offenders exploit the system,” he asserted.
With drug use surging at an unprecedented rate, particularly among the youth, Kerala now faces an escalating crisis that demands immediate and decisive action.