Sun Mar 30 15:54:04 UTC 2025: ## Kerala’s Substance Abuse Fight Hampered by Police Data Requests, Psychiatrists Say

**KOZHIKODE, March 30, 2025** – Kerala’s ongoing campaign against substance abuse is facing challenges due to police requests for patient data from mental health institutions, according to psychiatrists. The Indian Psychiatric Society’s Kerala branch criticized recent police letters demanding personal details and abstinence periods from patients seeking or having completed substance addiction treatment. They argue this violates Section 27(1) of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, which guarantees patient confidentiality. Only specific authorized bodies, including the Mental Health Review Board and High Courts, can legally access such information.

While acknowledging that some patients might face charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the psychiatrists emphasize that Section 64A grants immunity from prosecution to those voluntarily seeking treatment at government-approved facilities. This immunity can be revoked only if treatment is incomplete.

Dr. Mohan Sundaram and Dr. Anees Ali, the State president and general secretary respectively, stressed the importance of a safe and secure environment for effective treatment. Fear of legal repercussions, they warned, discourages individuals from seeking help, potentially increasing substance-related crimes.

The majority of those seeking treatment are aged 15-25, with a growing number from lower socio-economic backgrounds, in addition to the previously prevalent middle-class patients. Peer pressure, impulsivity, and experimentation are key contributing factors, according to Dr. T.C. Vishnu, the State treasurer.

Psychiatrists advocate for a multi-pronged approach including intervention, detoxification, relapse prevention, harm reduction, and follow-up care, delivered by an integrated team of professionals and support groups. Only through such comprehensive strategies, they believe, can Kerala effectively combat its substance abuse problem.

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