District Collector Anu Kumari launched the second phase of the Dream initiative, a collaborative effort between the Don Bosco Veedu Society and BREADS, on Monday. The initiative focuses on drug rehabilitation, education, and mentoring.
The Collector emphasized the need for Kerala to address the issue of drug abuse, particularly among adolescents and the youth. She noted that the state should not be in the race to be counted among those where drug abuse has been wreaking havoc in society. According to her, controlling drug abuse diligently in society is crucial, and collective efforts are necessary to protect children and the youth from its scourge.
The Collector also highlighted the changes in society that contribute to the rise in drug abuse. With families growing smaller and more people entering the workforce, the productive time spent by parents with their children is reducing significantly. Additionally, the lack of avenues for children to spend their energy productively, such as playgrounds, vacant plots, or parks, is a contributing factor. Even schools often lack playgrounds, and students are burdened by academic and extra-curricular activities, leading to increased smartphone usage, which can be addictive and impulsive.
Girls and women are also becoming increasingly addicted to drugs, and the Collector called for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to address this issue. Fr. Thomas P.D., State director of Dream II, stated that the initiative will be implemented in 10 districts of the state till 2029, building on the gains of Dream I, which ran from 2021 to 2025. He noted that the state still lacks adequate treatment and rehabilitation centers, especially for those under 18, and that prevention activities are often taken up in isolation.
Dream II aims to strengthen prevention-support mechanisms in schools and society, build the capacity of officials in various departments, provide counseling, mentoring, and deaddiction services, including digital deaddiction, and focus on data management, impact assessment, and long-term sustainability through government-CSR partnership. The launch event also featured the presentation of the results of an expert group discussion as part of a district-level stakeholders’ workshop.
