Ernakulam tops Kerala in drug use among children

KOCHI: 125 cases were registered against children under the age of 18 for using MDMA and cannabis between 2015 and 2024. The report filed by the Home Department explained that 56 cases among these were from Ernakulam.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice C. Jayachandran directed the Kochi City Police Commissioner to appear in person to explain how to prevent drug use among children. The court decided to initiate preventive action in the Ernakulam district. The Commissioner should appear the next time the case is considered.

The court was considering a public interest litigation seeking action to prevent drug use among children. The government presented the figures of the State Crime Records Bureau. The report states that 341 drug-addicted children were provided counselling as part of the Janamaithri Suraksha Yojana. 112 children were provided with drug-free treatment, while 478 children availed of digital, drug-free services.

In 2015, 1,430 drug cases and 15,973 abkari cases were registered against adults. In 2024, this increased to 8,160 and 19,419, respectively.

The lack of sufficient staff in forensic labs is affecting the proper conduct of drug cases. The High Court also directed the registry to inform how many cases are pending in the courts due to a lack of forensic reports. The government should also explain to the court how to end the crisis.