The 130th Maramon Convention, inaugurated by Theodosius Mar Thoma, Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church earlier this month, focused on combating drug abuse and Kerala’s rising crime rates. The Metropolitan highlighted the surge in juvenile crimes and substance abuse in schools and colleges, criticizing the government’s indifference and the proposed brewery in Palakkad.

Speaking at the anti-alcohol event organized by the Changannassery Diocese, Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil gave a powerful address where he highlighted the growing menace of drug and alcohol addiction in Kerala, urging the government, society, and the Church to take immediate and decisive action. The event, attended by a large gathering, saw the Archbishop emphasize the need for collective efforts to combat this crisis, which is destroying families and endangering the future of the youth.

Archbishop Tharayil lamented that the anti-alcohol movement is often dismissed by society, with those advocating for prohibition being mocked as relics of a bygone era. He recalled the contributions of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Kerala’s own Gandhians, such as M.P. Manmadhan and Sugathakumari Teacher, who championed the cause in the past. Today, he noted, the resistance to alcohol has weakened, with governments prioritizing revenue over public health by promoting alcohol and opening bars.

The Human Cost Of Addiction

Archbishop Tharayil stressed that the fight against alcohol is not just about opposing a substance but about upholding human dignity. He shared heartbreaking stories of families torn apart by addiction, including a woman who married at 18 to escape her alcoholic father, only to see her husband and son fall into the same trap. Her 15-year-old son, now addicted to alcohol, told her, “I am my father’s son. I’ve been doing this for a long time.”

The Archbishop also highlighted the findings of a 2014 report by the State Planning Commission, which revealed that middle and lower-middle-class families are the most affected by alcohol addiction, with men being the primary consumers. Interestingly, the report noted that alcohol consumption is lowest among Muslims, while Christians have the highest percentage of users—a fact the Archbishop urged the community to address.

He pointed out that the Changannassery Diocese’s Social Service Society has recently established a new anti-drug and anti-alcohol centre there, the only one in Kerala for children under 18 and said, “I asked Father why it was for children below 18 years of age. I asked him why we need one here and whether anyone will even want/there is a need for one such centre. I was skeptical that if we start one and if the government doesn’t give WiFi and we will have to burden that on our shoulders as well. But now there is no vacancy. These kids less than 18 years of age are standing in a queue at the deaddiction centre.”

Must-watch! 🚨 Very shocking!🚨

Archbishop Thomas Tharayil exposes Kerala’s shocking drug crisis!

He says ; When the govt approved Kerala’s only de-addiction center for children under 18 (in Changanassery), I had my doubts. I asked my superior:
‘Who will come here?’
‘Are we… pic.twitter.com/7Wth3vrVwJ

— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) February 28, 2025

Rising Drug Abuse Among Youth

The Archbishop expressed deep concern over the rise in drug addiction, particularly among the youth. He cited statistics showing that 10% of adults and 33% of adolescents in Kerala start drinking before the age of 14. Between January 2023 and June 2024, there were 41,531 registered drug-related cases in the state, with Ernakulam district recording the highest number at 8,567 cases.

He also criticized the normalization of violence in popular culture, pointing to the influence of Korean movies and Malayalam cinema, which often glorify brutality. During a recent Christmas release, a film depicting extreme violence was met with cheers from young audiences, a trend the Archbishop described as deeply troubling.

Government’s Role 

Archbishop Tharayil did not shy away from criticizing the government’s role in exacerbating the crisis. He accused the government of prioritizing revenue over public health by promoting alcohol and opening bars. Kerala, which once imported alcohol, is now producing its own, with the government imposing a 300% tax on alcohol. The Archbishop questioned the morality of taxing a substance that destroys lives, noting that the poor are spending their hard-earned money on alcohol while the government uses the revenue to build roads.

He also called out the lack of action against the drug trade, pointing to the seizure of 500 grams of drugs that made headlines while tons of drugs go unnoticed. He questioned why there is no accountability for the large-scale drug shipments entering Kerala and other parts of India, urging the government to take decisive action.

The Archbishop emphasized the Church’s moral responsibility to combat addiction, citing the work of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) Anti-Alcohol Commission. He called on Christians to live lives of joy and abundance, as taught by Pope Francis, and to instill courage and resilience in the youth.

He also stressed the importance of strong family bonds, sharing the story of a college student from a loving family who spent weekends helping her parents and tutoring her siblings. Such children, he noted, are less likely to fall into addiction.

Archbishop Tharayil highlighted the need to address the mental health crisis among youth, attributing it to the lack of challenges in their lives. He criticized the education system for making life too easy for children, leading to increased stress and addiction. He called for reintroducing challenges to help children grow stronger and more resilient.

In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Tharayil urged all stakeholders to continue the fight against addiction. He called on the government to prioritize the health and future of the youth over political gains and urged families to build strong, supportive environments for their children.

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