JUDGMENT :

Shaji P. Chaly, J.

This is a public interest litigation filed by a public spirited person, who is said to be concerned by the ever increasing substance abuse in the State of Kerala, and is also an Advocate practicing in the High Court of Kerala, apart from being functional as a legal reporter of a visual media, and also served as a para-legal volunteer coordinator of Taluk Legal Service Committee, Cherthala, Alappuzha District, for the period 2009-2011. The sum and substance of the contentions advanced in the writ petition are as follows:-

2. The use of narcotics and psychotropic substances, particularly Ganja, is increasing in Kerala and the recent newspaper reports are indicating the said aspect. Petitioner has also produced Exts. P1 and P3 news reports appeared in two English dailies dated 16.07.2014 and 14.08.2014. Relying upon the said news item it is submitted that there is rampant increase in the use of Ganja particularly among school children. Added to that there is ever increasing use of liquor / alcohol which has created severe economic and social problems in the State of Kerala. According to the petitioner, the use of other drugs and intoxicating drinks are deep