Archbishop calls parishes to confront Kerala’s growing drug menace

CHANGANASSERY, Kerala (Indian Catholic News) — Archbishop Thomas Tharayil of Changanacherry warned that Kerala is “today in the grip of drug mafias,” as drug abuse spreads rapidly among students and young girls, urging parishes to expand awareness, prevention and treatment initiatives.

The archbishop said substance abuse “is not merely a habit, but a deadly disease that shatters every aspect of human life,” destroying “individuals, families, and society alike.” He urged Catholics across the archdiocese to “awaken and act against the menace of addiction” as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse.

“It must be viewed with utmost seriousness that our enlightened Kerala is today in the grip of drug mafias,” Archbishop Tharayil wrote in the July edition of Vedaprachara Madhyasthan, the archdiocese’s official magazine.

“This evil habit, which was previously seen only among adults, is now rapidly spreading to school and college students, and young girls,” he said, warning that “the influx of chemical drugs (such as MDMA) is casting a shadow of darkness over the future of our younger generation.”

The archbishop praised state efforts to combat drug trafficking, saying the Kerala Police’s and the Excise Department’s initiatives are “commendable.” He noted that “tens of thousands of drug cases are registered in the state every year” and that “official statistics indicate a massive increase in the number of drug cases in Kerala.”

“We offer the full support of the Church and the faithful community to this fight waged by law enforcement,” he said.

Archbishop Tharayil also highlighted the archdiocese’s social service agency, Changanacherry Social Service Society (CHASS), conducts anti-drug awareness programs and operates ACCEPT, a network of Church-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centers, along with a separate treatment center for children.\

Parishes ordered to expand prevention and treatment efforts

The circular directs every parish and institution to implement practical measures to strengthen the campaign against addiction.

Among the mandatory steps, parishes are instructed to observe Anti-Drug Day with “prayers, awareness messages, rallies, or placard displays by children.” Each parish must also establish “a 10-member anti-drug squad comprising men and women” to organize classes, sports competitions and cultural activities for children and young people over the next six months. Special training for squad members will be provided by Aathmatha Kendra.

The archbishop placed particular emphasis on helping those already struggling with addiction.

“This squad and the parish members should take the initiative to identify those in our parishes or surroundings who are addicted and require treatment, and bring them—without fear or feelings of inferiority to our de-addiction centres,” the circular says.

Concluding his, appeal, Archbishop Tharayil urged Catholics to “join hands together to save our children and families from the deadly clutches of addiction.”

“Through our actions filled with prayer and care, let us nurture a holy generation,” he wrote.

The appeal was issued in a circular to be read during Mass in the Syro Malabar Archdiocese of Changanacherry for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking June 26.

Full statements available: In original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.