“Addiction doesn’t just destroy individuals, it dismantles families, shatters communities, and leaves silent scars that counselling alone can help heal.” This poignant truth formed the heart of the Early Intervention Counselling Training Programme held on April 30, 2025, at the PSSS Office in Punalur, an initiative that signals a strong psychosocial thrust in Kerala’s growing battle against drug addiction.

The training marked a critical phase in the second leg of the Sajeevam Anti-Drug Campaign, spearheaded by Punalur Social Service Society (PSSS) in collaboration with Caritas India and the Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF). With drug abuse cases surging across Kerala, the campaign zeroes in on the psychosocial needs of addicts and their families, often the overlooked victims of this silent epidemic.

Participants included Task Force Volunteers from seven diocesan social service societies (DSSS) across southern Kerala, including ADC & SWS Alappuzha, CHASS Changanassery, Chethana Mavelikkara, Bodhana Thiruvalla, QSSS Quilon, and Anugraha Pathanamthitta. Their common goal was to become the first line of compassionate response, i.e., counsellors, listeners, and mobilisers equipped to detect early signs of substance abuse and respond with empathy and professionalism.

The event opened with a warm welcome by Mr. Sunny V.O., Sajeevam Coordinator, and a stirring presidential address by Fr. Vineeth Benedict, Director of PSSS, who urged sustained community action and underscored the moral imperative of tackling addiction through collective resolve.

Inaugurating the programme, Fr. Johnson Joseph, President of PSSS, emphasised: “The true strength of our community lies in its ability to rise together against adversity. Let this training catalyse personal responsibility and collective action against the menace of drugs.”

The keynote speaker, Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Executive Director of KSSF, framed counselling as a technical intervention and a mission of presence and compassion. “The future of our youth rests in the hands of those who care enough to act early,” he stated, underlining the pivotal role of psychosocial support in prevention and rehabilitation.

The training went beyond theory. Mr. Reji Jacob, Excise Inspector, offered an eye-opening session on Kerala’s evolving drug abuse landscape, its patterns, triggers, and legal dimensions. He stressed the need for alert, trained community volunteers to serve as proactive defenders, saying, “Our society is not immune to drugs. But with you on the ground, we have hope.”

That hope came alive in Mr. Shine Vayala’s emotionally resonant session. The De-addiction Counsellor from Harishree Centre shared real-life case studies that brought to light the devastating emotional toll of addiction on families. His stories reminded everyone that healing begins with listening, and that sustained, community-based counselling can turn even the darkest chapters into stories of recovery.

Adding to the practical momentum was Mr. Abeesh Antony, Caritas India’s State Programme Associate, who shared volunteer success stories from various dioceses and emphasised the emotional readiness and mental resilience required to serve as frontline psychosocial support providers. His message: “Volunteering is not just about knowledge—it’s about commitment, compassion, and consistency.”

In a fitting finale, Mr. Sajo Joy, State Coordinator of Sajeevam, unveiled a visionary plan to set up Sajeevam Help Desks across dioceses—dedicated hubs where individuals and families affected by drug abuse can access counselling, guidance, and community resources. These help desks will serve as local lifelines, ensuring timely intervention before addiction claims more lives.

Reflections from volunteers were heartfelt. “As a mother, I now feel better equipped to protect and guide my children,” shared Ms. Suja John, a participant. Another volunteer, Mr. Akhil John, summed up the collective spirit: “This training wasn’t just informative, it was empowering. I’m now ready to be part of the change our community desperately needs.”

As Kerala stands at a crossroads in its fight against drugs, the Sajeevam campaign brings a refreshing shift—from punitive approaches to people-centred healing. With psychosocial counselling at its core, the campaign not only addresses addiction but also restores dignity, resilience, and hope in communities that refuse to give up.