Taking a strong note on the growing drug abuse, the Kerala High Court has initiated a suo motu PIL and sought response from Centre and state govt on ways to find out and rein in unbridled drug abuse in the state.
The court issued the order after taking note of the various editorials in various newspapers on the issue along with a letter written by former Kottayam district police chief N Ramachandran on the startling spike of drug abuse and the catastrophic implications that ensues.
Justice P R Ramachandra Menon said in the order: “The entire system may require to be revamped with proper monitoring by this court, also ensuring that sufficient number of suitable devices to test drug abuse 1;1 made available to the police/excise. The matter involves larger public interest and it is time to play the role of this court in this regard, as the different organs/stake holders may have to be called upon to a common platform…”
The court also took note of the funds utilization for tackling and curtailing of drug abuse and said that the utilization needs to be looked into.
Ramachandran in its letter had drawn the attention of the court by referring to various shocking crimes committed lately under the effect of drugs.
“The youth are digressing from alcohol to drugs particularly due to the ease in carrying or using them, the increased level of thrill, and the fewer chances of getting caught,” the letter said.
—India Legal Bureau