The Kerala community is rallying together against the drug menace through the Sajeevam Anti-drug Campaign, a pivotal initiative supported by Caritas India. For the past one and a half years, this campaign has implemented a series of awareness-building and capacity development programs aimed at educating the public on the dangers of substance abuse. These efforts have not only raised awareness but have also brought tangible positive changes across Kerala, demonstrating the power of collective action.

Building on its initial success, the campaign is now entering its second phase with a focus on forming and deploying Task Force members, a crucial step for ensuring the campaign’s long-term sustainability. During the first phase, the campaign concentrated on providing massive education and awareness programs about the detrimental impacts of drug abuse and addiction. These initiatives, encompassing a wide variety of activities, have yielded significant positive changes within the community.

The newly established Task Force will engage in holistic and dedicated interventions at the grassroots level. Their roles will include providing ongoing support, facilitating rehabilitation, and monitoring drug-related activities vigilantly. By integrating deeply into the community, these Task Force members will address issues more effectively and promote a culture of prevention and support, ensuring the campaign’s sustainability and paving the way for a drug-free Kerala.

The formation of the Sajeevam Task Force involves a series of developmental stages designed to create a skilled and effective team. The process began with two integrated training programs for Sajeevam DSSS Campaign Officers, conducted by the Kerala Social Service Forum with support from Vimukthy Mission of the State Government and Excise Department resource persons. These sessions focused on understanding the current drug abuse scenario and integrating Task Force members with the necessary expectations and skill sets.

Following these sessions, the Campaign Officers, under the direction of the Sajeevam State team, initiated the identification and selection of Task Force members. The selection criteria are inclusive, allowing any person, regardless of gender, race, caste, religion, or socio-economic status, to join the Task Force. The only requirement is that the individual must be free from any form of drug use, including alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine, a standard verified by a parish priest.

“The Task Force members should exemplify genuine volunteer service, lead moral lives, and serve as role models within their operational areas to ensure the campaign achieves its envisioned results,” expressed Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Executive Director, KSSF. Essential skills such as empathy, communication, networking, listening, and maintaining confidentiality were emphasized during the training to ensure that the Task Force members are well-equipped to handle their responsibilities effectively.

The DSSS Sajeevam team undertook a rigorous process to identify and appoint between 100 to 200 members to the Sajeevam task force, alongside selecting regional-level Task Force lead volunteers to enhance operational efficiency at the grassroots level. A pivotal component of this effort was a specialized training session conducted exclusively for these regional leaders, featuring experts from the police and excise departments. The intensive training program centered on preventing drug abuse and addiction across three key levels: family, community, and among children and young adults. Recognizing the critical role of family-level interventions in prevention, the sessions included practical strategies for parents to safeguard their children.

“Mothers play a pivotal role in implementing family-level strategies to prevent drug abuse. When a mother is dedicated and proactive, she significantly reduces the likelihood that children and young adults will fall into harmful habits, including drug use,” said Mr. Suresh Babu, Asst. Inspector, Excise, Palghat District, during his training session for the Regional Level Task Force Members organized by PSSP, Palghat. Following this comprehensive training, the regional task force volunteers were organized into groups to brainstorm and plan specific activities tailored to each identified level. Notably, all 32 DSSS partners collectively conducted these training sessions, collectively training approximately 3,500 regional-level Task Force Lead volunteers, ensuring a widespread and coordinated approach to combating drug abuse in Kerala.

The grassroots-level training programs, organized by the Regional Level Task Force Volunteer lead, serve to empower selected grassroots Task Force members with essential skills and knowledge. Typically held in parish halls or community settings, these sessions often include the participation of Panchayat or Ward members and the DSSS parish priest. Drawing from their training received at the DSSS level integrated training programs, the trained Regional Level Task Force Volunteer leads facilitate these sessions. They not only impart crucial insights but also support grassroots Task Force members in actively engaging in DSSS anti-drug activities within their respective areas. Supported by dedicated Regional Level Task Force Volunteer Leads, as well as Sajeevam DSSS Campaign Officers and the collaborative efforts of 32 DSSS partners, approximately 7,500 Task Force members have been trained. These members are now deployed in the field, reaching out to households, schools, and other institutions, committed to the mission of fostering drug-free communities and families.

“After completing the training program and diving into community-level Sajeevam campaign activities, I feel energized and optimistic. It is fulfilling to see firsthand the positive changes we are bringing to our neighborhoods, and I am excited to continue making a meaningful impact in the fight against drug abuse,” said Ms. Bincy Varghese, a Task Force volunteer member of WSSS, Mananthavady.

As the Task Force training program continues to unfold across Kerala, the campaign gains momentum in its mission to empower communities against drug abuse and addiction. Through ongoing training and active engagement, the Task Force exemplifies a steadfast commitment to building resilience at every level of society. Each trained member becomes an ambassador of hope, working tirelessly to educate, support, and foster environments where individuals and families can thrive free from the grip of substance misuse. The journey ahead is marked by our collective dedication to strengthening community bonds and nurturing a culture of prevention.