The Kerala Government on Sunday launched a major campaign, “Subodham” a campaign to help people overcome alcohol, drugs and other substance abuse in Kerala. This project was launch by the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy and the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravishankar. This project launch happened in the presence of various religious leaders, student representatives from student organizations and also NGOs working against drug abuse.
“The state government aims to wipe out the menace of substance addiction from our society through ‘Subodham’. If total alcohol prohibition could save the society, the state government is ready to forego the revenue from the sale of liquor that is around Rs 7,000 crore per annum,” said the Chief Minister of Kerala, during his speech.
‘Subodham’ has been envisaged to the excise department and it will be worked on and implemented by a high level committee comprising of experts from various different fields. Excise Minister of Kerala, K. Babu, ,is the chairman of ‘Subodham’. The state Education department has also agreed and are taking steps to include anti- drug and alcohol awareness content in the state curriculum.
The project is supported by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious leaders and other stake holders are also participating in the project.
