An anti-drug abuse campaign sensitizing individuals and families about the dangers of drugs was launched by Caritas India on December 5th, 2022, in Kerala.

The students and young adults are getting addicted to drugs which has created a clear physical and behavioural change making them more aggressive and violent. The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) data from 2016 to 2022 January shows that the state is turning into a hub of drug dealers as well as consumers. The State has seized nearly 19 types of drugs in the past six years. 

Addressing the rising drug abuse cases in Kerala, the campaign will create awareness, and strengthen community resilience through church networks to restore the physical, mental, economic and social functioning of the families affected by drug abuse.

The initiative will form task forces and community vigilance committees at the State, Diocese and Parish levels for monitoring, treatment, follow-up, networking, and sustainability of the campaign. The sole aim of the campaign is to save society from the bondage of drug abuse. 

Cardinal George Alencherry, the President of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) inaugurated the campaign in a public function organized at the Pastoral Orientation Centre, Palarivattom, Ernakulam, Kerala. He said that “Sajeevam Campaign is a result of a long study and research from Caritas India, and we should work closely with this plan”. He also added that “It is the responsibility of the Church; the various department and networks of the Church to work together for this mission.”

“We should stand with the drug addicts to build a good life by giving them new meaning and comfort,” said Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, the Executive Director of Caritas India. Sharing about this new initiative, he said that “Caritas is the Gospel for the marginalized. It continues to be the face of love, mercy and care for the poor. Caritas has been with the poor as the face of this mercy since 2014 with similar campaigns like Ashakiranam Canner Care Campaign and during floods and Covid pandemic time.”

 His Excellency, Dr. Joseph Mar Thomas, the Vice President of CBCI said, in today’s situation where intoxication is becoming a status symbol, this stance taken by Caritas deserves a lot of appreciation. He added, let this campaign extend to the lower loft to create drug-free villages.

“Although the Government and other organizations are conducting anti-drug activities, they are not achieving the desired results. This is where this problem becomes a moral responsibility of the Church. We should enter into the anti-drug services with zeal,” said Dr. Yoohanon Mar. Theodosius the Chairman of the Temperance Commission, KCBC while delivers a special message.

Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India shared the background and modalities of the campaign. He added that It is a joint venture of Caritas India with Kerala Catholic Church, where the union of different commissions like Temperance, Youth, Media, Education, Police Department etc. inevitable to grab the actual results of the campaign”. He said, “Like Ashakiranam, we should be able to make this campaign a success and spread it to other states as a replicable model programme with the help of our partners”. 

The programme also marked the campaign logo and brochure release by Cardinal Alencherry during the launch. Fr. John Areeckal, Secretary, Temperance Commission & Rev. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Director, KSSF have delivered felicitations for the programme. 

Before the launch, a state-level campaign orientation was organised for the Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS) partner Directors and the DSSS team members. The orientation is designed to educate the objectives, modus operandi and activities of the campaign. Rev. Fr. Paul has taken a session on 16 Prevention Principles for better functioning of the Campaign, where he stressed the risk and protective factors, prevention planning, family, school and community programmes, prevention programmes delivery etc. 

 “Since Drug abuse is one of the growing threats in our society, especially among the young generation. The impact of this problem is extremely scary. Therefore, the importance of such programmes is highly relevant. Sajeevam campaign can spread the lights of goodness in the society by coordinating various activities to fight against this social evil” said Mr. T.K Jose, IAS. He spoke about the future Social Apostolate of Dioceses and building perspectives. He emphasized the need for educational institutions to foster the youth with fast-track employability, Campus industries otherwise the mental vacuum will lead the younger generations to drug abuse.

The campaign response plan orientation was given by Fr. Jolly, he shared the ideas and modalities of running the Campaign in the respective areas. The open house discussion helped the DSSS partners team to share their concerns and to get better clarity of the Campaign. An advocacy committee was formed in the group discussion for steering up the campaign in the state. The Campaign will begin at the diocesan level in January 2023 with a new hope of building drug resilient communities.