Editor’s Desk: Kerala’s Crisis – From God’s Own Country to a Land of Addiction

From the Editor’s Desk | March 31, 2025

Kerala has long been celebrated as “God’s Own Country.” A state synonymous with serene lakes, lush forests, and a rich cultural heritage. Yet, beneath this enchanting surface, a troubling transformation is steadily unfolding—one that is both alarming and shocking. What was once a symbol of natural beauty and progressive ideals is now quietly slipping into a dark abyss. It may not be an exaggeration to soon call it the “Land of Addiction,” for over time, this has become a harsh reality seeping through the state’s classrooms, hostels, and streets.

The warnings are no longer just distant headlines—they now echo from voices within. Dr. Deepesh Divakaran (Dr. DD) recently shared a chilling experience on LinkedIn: a 19-year-old engineering student explained to him how to make MDMA, also known as “Lucy.” When asked how he learned this, the student’s jaw-dropping response was that he picked it up from recipes found on Google and ChatGPT. He went further, casually remarking, “Even our professors use it.” Pause for a moment—this wasn’t a scene from a crime drama; it was unfolding in a Tier-2 college in Kerala.

This might seem like an isolated anecdote, but the numbers paint an even grimmer picture. Over the past decade, the drug trade has deeply entrenched itself in Kerala’s social fabric. Estimates suggest that over 450,000 young people in the state are caught in the grip of addiction, unwittingly fueling a black market worth more than ₹1 lakh crore. In just one month, news reports highlighted the seizure of 2 kilograms of marijuana in an Ernakulam college hostel, 400 grams of MDMA in Angamaly, and, in 2023, MDMA worth ₹12,000 crore off the Kerala coast—traced back to a ship of Pakistani origin. Consider this: if so much has been seized, how much has slipped through? What might those numbers look like?

The reach of this crisis is staggering and shakes the entire nation. Drugs are no longer confined to shadowy alleys; their boundaries now stretch into classrooms, playgrounds, coaching centers, and cafes. Some report that rented apartments have become distribution hubs run by teenagers. Seventeen-year-olds discuss drug deals on Telegram channels and Instagram DMs as if it were a startup pitch or a nation-building venture. They advise each other, “Bro, keep it under 100 grams.” They’ve mastered the loopholes in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, knowing that getting caught with a “small quantity” often leads to bail. This legal knowledge isn’t their shield—it’s their strategy for expansion.

A Society Submerged in Silence

The question arises: what’s fueling this epidemic? The answer lies in apathy—a toxic blend of legal loopholes and misplaced priorities. On one hand, the Kerala government basks in accolades like “Best Startup State,” while its youth are left vulnerable. Meanwhile, the silence from the Union Home Ministry raises uncomfortable questions. Is this being suppressed by state politics? Is the central government also choosing silence or ignorance? Or is it deliberate neglect—sacrificing an entire generation to weaken a political faction or appease certain pressures? Some even claim that drugs have become a new funding source for political agendas. If true, this isn’t just a crisis—it’s a betrayal of the state’s people and the nation at large.

With addiction rising within Kerala and beyond, the stakes are high. The youth—once considered Kerala’s greatest asset—are now its most endangered. Parents, teachers, and communities will soon have to confront this head-on. But silence is where addiction thrives, and Kerala has grown far too quiet.

What More Warning Signs Are Needed?

Awareness is the first step toward revival. Every parent, guardian, and citizen can take these steps to protect against this:

Check Bags: Routinely inspect your child’s school or college belongings. Don’t ignore unusual behavior under any pretext.
Monitor Technology: If they have a phone, take responsibility for it. When behavior turns strange, privacy takes a backseat to safety.
Understand the Language: Terms like “Lucy,” “Molly,” “Snow,” or “Scooby Snacks” aren’t innocent. These aren’t casual words—they’re red flags of suspicious behavior.
Watch for Signs: Isolation, skipping meals, locked doors, or sudden late-night outings are danger signals. Unexplained, secretive actions should raise alarms.
Question Influences: Keep an eye on teachers or peers who seem overly familiar. These could be the sources of influence driving such actions.

This article isn’t about spreading fear or criticizing any government. It’s about moral accountability in the interest of the nation. Kerala’s future hinges on its ability to challenge this looming shadow before it swallows the light of its youth. Because this isn’t confined to Kerala—and it won’t stay that way.

Beyond Kerala: A National Reckoning

No web is woven from a single center, nor controlled by one. This isn’t just Kerala’s story—it’s a reflection of a broader, nationwide social challenge. Knowledge has two sides: when tainted by greed or corruption, it shifts. Technology and knowledge can create positive impact, but their negative consequences are inevitable too. The technological advancements of the past decade have led to many outcomes—some inevitable, some preventable. We stand at a juncture where technology empowers both innovation and destruction, where laws lag behind intent, and where profit often outweighs ethics. Dr. DD’s post isn’t just a lament—it’s a moral call to action. Share it, discuss it, disagree if you must—but don’t ignore it. It’s lethal and destructive.

The question isn’t whether Kerala can reclaim its soul. The question is whether we, as a society, have the courage to devise a concrete action plan and take a stand before “God’s Own Country” becomes the “Land of Addiction.” Your thoughts matter—share them.

Source: Adapted from Dr. Deepesh Divakaran (Dr. DD)’s LinkedIn post.

Links to additional articles reflecting this issue are included below.

Direct Source:

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deepeshdivakaran_gods-own-country-is-now-drugs-own-country-activity-7310975668874276865-kjBd?rcm=ACoAABjGLoUBogGO2UXykOQYdDWMjxfBbZSShhk

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Editor’s Desk: Kerala’s Crisis – From God’s Own Country to a Land of Addiction

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