Fighting drug abuse through 'Sudar'

KOCHI: Despite the closure of bars, drug addiction has reached an all-time high in the state. It was this revelation that brought Geetha Jacob, a clinical psychologist who has been active in anti-drug campaigns in Tamil Nadu for the past 27 years to Kerala where she plans to  propagate awareness regarding drug abuse and de-addiction through her organisation Sudar.

Sudar, a Coimbatore-based organisation founded by Geetha in 1989 which has been functioning to create awareness on the ill-effects of drug use, is all set to spread its wing in the state. “ I learnt about drug menace which is plaguing Kerala through newspapers and television channels which is why we decided to begin our service here,” said Geetha.

De-addiction treamtent

Once a case is brought before Sudar,  awareness classes are provided first. Then, the rehab patients are given deaddiction treatment. These patients are then referred to government hospitals for further deaddiction and rehabilitation.

“Right now, we plan to appoint at least one Sudar executive each in all 21 disticts of Tamil Nadu to coordinate the activities. We are planning to submit such a proposal to the Kerala government too. Sudar is a voluntary organisation and the funds are raised by the members themselves. If more amount is required, it will be raised through sponsorships,” she said.