As Kerala grapples with the escalating issue of drug abuse, Caritas India’s Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign is making significant strides in raising awareness and building community resilience against this menace. Launched in collaboration with the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) and 32 Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSS), and spearheaded by the Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF), the Sajeevam campaign aims to restore the physical, mental, economic, and social well-being of families affected by addiction.

Kerala has witnessed a worrying increase in substance abuse, particularly among its youth, leading to severe social and health repercussions. The Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign seeks to combat this crisis through comprehensive community engagement, preventive education, and support for affected individuals and families. By leveraging the extensive church network and its institutions, the campaign aims to create a sustainable framework for combating drug abuse and promoting a drug-free Kerala.

The half-yearly review meeting of the Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign, held on June 20, 2024, at the KSSF auditorium, was a critical juncture to evaluate progress, share best practices, and strategize future actions. Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Executive Director of KSSF, extended a warm greeting to all dignitaries, partners, and participants, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving the campaign’s objectives.

Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Director in Charge of Caritas India, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the DSSS Directors and Campaign Officers for reaching approximately 22 lakh people. He highlighted that the success of the campaign transcends being merely a project; “it is a way of life and should extend beyond the confines of projects and monetary considerations.”

Delivering a special message on the campaign, Fr. Antony Fernandes, Associate Director of Caritas India, citing the Anti-Drug Day Theme of 2024, raised a crucial point on how to invite people to invest in prevention. He emphasized that “responsible engagement of the community is the only effective method to prevent drug abuse at both the family and community levels.” Acknowledging that drug abuse and addiction are not confined to Kerala but prevalent in other states as well, he urged participants to consider ways to amplify preventive activities across the country.

Mr. Sajo Joy, the Sajeevam State Coordinator, presented a detailed cluster-wise report on the activities undertaken by the 32 DSSS partners. He highlighted that around 12,000 activities had been conducted, reaching approximately 22 lakh people. These activities included massive awareness drives, preventive approaches, and family and community-level outreach programs.

Mr. Abeesh Antony, Program Associate of Caritas India, shared key initiatives and best practices that emerged during the reporting period. He outlined notable initiatives, such as the Sajeevam Photography Campaign, Youth Engagement Programme, Sajeevam Root-treat, Radio Campaign, Marathon Street Play, Bike Rally, and Sajeevam Visibility Boards. Each initiative aimed to raise awareness, engage the community, and promote the anti-drug message effectively.

The review meeting provided a platform for sharing success stories and discussing the changes observed before and after the Anti-Drug Campaign. Mr. Johnson, Campaign Officer of PSSS, Punalur, noted visible changes among SHG women members, particularly mothers, who now exhibit greater care and responsibility towards their children, closely monitoring their behavior. Fr. Alfred V.C., DSSS Director of Jeevana, Calicut, highlighted that the campaign activities have raised massive awareness among common people, leading to significant internal changes.

Despite the successes, several challenges were highlighted during the discussion. The discussion revolved around improving coordination among the Diocesan department heads to have seamless execution and integration of campaign activities. Additionally, the involvement of the youth in the campaign was discussed which is one of the crucial demographic for the campaign’s long-term success.

Mr. Sajo Joy presented the upcoming plans for the Sajeevam campaign, which included Task Force training programs, grassroots-level task force formation, partnerships with like-minded organizations, guided community interventions by Task Force members, and pooling of de-addiction centers for optimized treatment and care services.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks by Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, who emphasized the importance of validating data and monitoring incidents as the campaign progresses. He underscored the need to assess the impact of the Anti-Drug Campaign at various levels and encouraged the team to remain vigilant and committed. Fr. Jolly stressed that the campaign effort is not time-bound but an ongoing mission, highlighting that “the true Catholic spirit is reflected in the conviction that if even a single child can be saved, the effort is worthwhile.” He further added, “Fighting drugs is a huge issue and it may affect our neighbours, friends, and even our families, therefore, we should adopt a collective approach until the last one is saved.”

The Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign, with its comprehensive approach and strong community engagement, has raised hope in Kerala’s fight against drug abuse. By leveraging partnerships and fostering local involvement, Caritas India is not only addressing the immediate crisis but also building a foundation for sustained, long-term change towards a drug-free Kerala.