Why hostels become drug trafficking centers?

Given the prevalence of drugs in the state, one should not be surprised by the shocking findings revealed in the police-excise raid on a college hostel in Kochi on Friday. The majority of the drugs sold here are used by youth and students. Since the drug trade has the support of politicians, drug dealings can be carried out here without hindrance. Even if a case is filed, there will be someone outside to save them. Immense profits are made from the sale of drugs. When a share of the drug money reaches corrupt and influential people, those who engage in the drug trade can go ahead without much to fear. Since customers are always available, the business will thrive.

If those who are raising slogans against drugs stand united against this social evil, drug trafficking can be significantly controlled. If they do not do so, and secret support continues, the drug trade will not decrease, no matter how many lightning checks are conducted.

During a search conducted in a room of the Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College hostel, not only a cannabis plant grown in secret was seized, but a weighing scale for selling the cannabis to the customers was found. The hostel had a stock of drugs as there would be a large sale of drugs during Holi. The raid was prompted by information given to the police by the college principal himself. Three students, including the general secretary of the college union, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Two students escaped.

It is interesting to note that the arrested union leader is an SFI member. SFI is at the forefront of anti-drug campaigns everywhere. SFI claims that the police seized drugs planted by KSU members to defame them. Six more people were arrested in the state the other day in connection with the incidents in which cannabis and the deadly drug MDMA were seized. The total value of all the drugs seized in the eight-day raids is close to Rs 2 crore in the market. In fact, this is a very small amount of the drugs that are sold secretly every hour in the state. The widespread use of drugs is haunting many families in the state.

The mindset of the youth who consume drugs, thinks that all celebration should have drugs. Therefore, drugs are collected and sold during such events. There are gangs that have become proficient in bringing them from other states. Along with raids, the links of drug trafficking must also be broken. The drug network cannot be eradicated without uprooting the mafia gangs. The current frightening trend is that drug gangs are also making school children addicted to drugs. There are trade networks that use children not only for drug use but also to conduct sale through them. Their bases are school premises. The traders are also joining in the sale because they can make good profits. Despite various campaigns and raids against drug trafficking, the drug trade is flourishing. Only if politicians also cooperate sincerely can we save the people from this deadly threat that is eating away at society.