Kerala's battle against cocaine: World Drug Day 2024 calls for vigilance
Just on the eve of the UN Anti-Dugs Day on June 26th, comes the news of a massive seizure of Cocaine from two Tanzanian nationals. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended the two Tanzanian nationals, who arrived at Kochi International Airport, via Doha from Ethiopia. The male passenger was arrested with 100 cocaine capsules, worth Rs 19 crores. The male and the female passengers were subjected to x-ray screening, which detected the presence of foreign bodies in their stomachs.
The rapid emergence of a market for cocaine in India and in Kerala is very disturbing. The trend of swallowing cocaine and transporting it is highly risky. Referred to as body packers, these carriers usually ingest a large number of mechanically manufactured compact drug packets enclosed in multiple layers of wrapping to resist rupture during long-distance flights.
When taken to a medical facility, an unenhanced computed tomography (CT) scan is usually performed and is preferred to a conventional X-ray for confirmation of the diagnosis. A conservative approach consists of waiting for the evacuation of the drug packets by unaided bowel movements (no medication, such as prokinetic agents or laxatives). The use of oil-based laxatives is not recommended as it can cause the cocaine packets to rupture due to a chemical reaction with latex. Death would be instantaneous, in such an event. However, if patients do not expel the packets they will require medical attention due to the increased risk of rupture. Cocaine is denatured by stomach acids, which is why swallowing cocaine pills is not practiced. The normal method of using cocaine is by snorting or smoking (or injecting, or chewing the leaves). The cocaine is absorbed by the body's mucous membranes and makes its way into the bloodstream without going through the stomach. The process of swallowing or inserting illegal packets of drugs for the purpose of evading law enforcement officers can be fatal. Individuals engaged in such activities are called "Body Packers" or "Mules". The most frequent cause of death among body packers is acute drug intoxication due to rupture of the package(s) within the gastrointestinal tract. The leakage of packets containing cocaine is a medical emergency and an indication for prompt surgical removal. Thousands of body packers every year risk their lives, their health, and their freedom for illegal drug transportation to cross high-security ports of entry worldwide such as airports.
Cocaine has been called the champagne of drugs, gold dust, Cadillac of drugs, status stimulant, yuppie drug, and others. Cocaine has powerful psychologically addictive properties. A dangerous trend among teenagers abroad is the popularity of what is known as the “Cocaine challenge”. This involves teens snorting condoms containing cocaine through their nostrils and then pulling them out through their mouths. It is not known if such crazy practices are being emulated locally.
In Kerala, drug use has become an ongoing prevalent issue in both rural and urban areas. Drugs like MDMA or Ecstasy, Heroin, Ketamine, and Ganja, are creating societal issues such as social stigmas, violence, driving accidents, and strain on healthcare services.
The entire coastal belt of Kerala has become particularly susceptible to drug trafficking; as maritime routes facilitate bulk transportation. Drugs are also trafficked through the international airports of Trivandrum, Cochin, Calicut and Kannur. The inter-State borders with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also been witnessing intense trafficking by various drug gangs.
A direct impact of drug consumption has been an increase in violence within the domestic sphere and risk of harm. The influence of drug or substance use on sexual violence among male youth and the victimization of girls is now being regularly reported in the media. Drug users becoming violent to a spouse/partner or a family member is another cause of concern for the Police, Kerala Women’s Commission, and various social organizations.
The number of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases reported by police in Kochi city, where the majority of those in the film industry is based, increased by three times in 2022 compared to 2021, making drug abuse in the film industry a hot topic of gossip and discussion.
From the arrests made, it is apparent that most of the apprehended individuals have been grappling with self – stigmatization and internal feelings of shame and low self-esteem due to having consumed drugs. External stigmatization is also reported as users feeling excluded by those around them. Some noted that their families expressed apathy towards them for having used drugs. There were also instances of drug users being perceived as criminals. The role of gender also arose as the stigma of drug use among women was accentuated by the fact that traditionally, men were drug users. While enforcement agencies like Police, Customs, Excise, DRI, and NCB have the onerous responsibility to coordinate and facilitate the formulation of national policies, laws, and plans of action on control of drug abuse and facilitating their implementation, enforcement, review, monitoring, and evaluation, it is the support of organizations like schools, colleges, media, and NGO’s that can carry out public education on drug abuse.