Fri Mar 28 08:55:54 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Grapples with Soaring Drug Crisis, Leading Nation in Related Cases
**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – March 28, 2025** – Kerala is facing a rapidly escalating drug crisis, surpassing even Punjab and Maharashtra in the number of drug-related cases, according to a new report from *The Hindu*. The state’s High Court has issued a grave warning about the pervasive influence of drug mafias, prompting the State Assembly to interrupt its regular proceedings for an urgent debate on the issue.
The alarming increase in drug-related arrests cannot be solely attributed to improved policing, *The Hindu*’s data team analysis suggests. Their investigation, using data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), explores the trends in drug possession versus smuggling to better understand the root causes of the crisis. The analysis is presented in a video accompanying the report.
In response, the Kerala government has intensified its efforts to combat the drug menace through public awareness campaigns, such as the “Love-a-Thon” initiative, and increased police enforcement. However, the sheer scale of the problem highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this escalating public health emergency.
First Piper 