A truly drug-free society begins long before the first substance is used; it begins with prevention.
Every year, June 26 is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reminding societies across the world of the growing threat posed by substance abuse and the urgent need for effective preventive action. In Kerala, the increasing number of drug-related incidents involving adolescents and young adults has become a matter of serious public concern. Reports of synthetic drug use among school and college students, drug trafficking networks, and large-scale seizures of narcotic substances have become frequent headlines in our daily newspapers.
While the efforts of the Government of Kerala, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations in combating drug abuse are commendable, the current situation calls for a more comprehensive, coordinated, and evidence-based approach. Drug abuse is not merely a law enforcement issue; it is a complex public health, social, psychological, educational, and developmental challenge that requires interventions at multiple levels.
Substance abuse among young people rarely occurs in isolation. Research consistently shows that drug use is often the outcome of a combination of vulnerabilities operating at the individual, family, peer, school, and community levels. Therefore, any meaningful strategy for creating a drug-free society must begin with the identification and management of these vulnerabilities before substance use begins.
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At the individual level, several psychological and developmental factors increase the risk of drug abuse. Untreated ADHD, impulsive behaviour, sensation-seeking tendencies, poor emotional regulation, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and inadequate stress management skills can make young people more vulnerable to experimenting with substances. Adolescence itself is a developmental period characterized by curiosity, risk-taking, and heightened sensitivity to peer influence, making early preventive interventions particularly important.
Family-related vulnerabilities also play a significant role. Lack of parental supervision, inconsistent discipline, poor communication, family conflicts, emotional neglect, parental substance use, and weak family bonding can create an environment where children and adolescents become more susceptible to substance use. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that strong family relationships and positive parenting practices serve as powerful protective factors against drug abuse.
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Social and environmental influences further contribute to the problem. Easy availability of drugs, peer pressure, exposure to substance-using social groups, negative influences through social media platforms, and normalization of risky behaviours can significantly increase vulnerability among young people.
A comprehensive drug prevention strategy should operate at three interconnected levels: family, school, and community. At the family level, parents should be empowered through structured programmes that promote positive parenting, emotional communication, supervision skills, and early recognition of behavioural and emotional difficulties. At the school level, institutions should establish systems for early identification of vulnerable students through screening, observation, counselling, and referral mechanisms. At the community level, local self-government institutions, youth organizations, health services, community counsellors, voluntary organizations, and law enforcement agencies must work collaboratively to create supportive environments for young people.
Equally important is the promotion of protective factors that help young people resist substance use and make healthy life choices. In this regard, the concept of the Behaviour Vaccine offers a promising preventive framework. Just as biological vaccines protect individuals from infectious diseases, Behaviour Vaccine aims to strengthen psychological immunity against substance abuse and other behavioural risks.
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The Behaviour Vaccine model focuses on developing healthy lifestyle practices, life skills, emotional regulation, stress management, resilience, positive family relationships, responsible digital behaviour, and healthy peer interactions. These competencies equip children and adolescents with the skills necessary to cope with challenges, resist negative influences, and make informed decisions.
The vision of a drug-free society cannot be achieved through enforcement measures alone. Sustainable prevention requires a shift from reacting to substance use to proactively addressing the vulnerabilities that place young people at risk. By investing in early identification, strengthening protective factors, supporting families, and implementing evidence-based preventive programmes, Kerala can move towards a healthier, safer, and more resilient future for its children and youth.
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On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting the next generation not merely by fighting drugs, but by building stronger individuals, stronger families, and stronger communities. A truly drug-free society begins long before the first substance is used; it begins with prevention.
(Dr Raheemudheen PK is a licensed Clinical Psychologist working under the Department of Health Services, Government of Kerala. He is currently with the Government Mental Health Hospital, Thrissur. He has an experience of more than 10 years in the field of mental health and rehabilitation. He held the position of Co-Chair of UNESCO chair on Community-Based Disability Management and Rehabilitation Studies during 2020-2021.)
