Amrita institutions observed International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

On the occasion of the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the Amrita International School of Law (AISL) along with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, hosted a panel discussion on the topic, ‘Bridging the gaps: Law, mental health and society against narcotics.’
The event brought together members of the judiciary, legal professionals, mental health experts, and students to examine the legal, psychological, and social dimensions of drug abuse.
G Narayanan, chairman of Permanent Lok Adalat and K Ramesh, secretary of district legal services authority delivered special addresses highlighting the judiciary’s role in rehabilitation and legal aid efforts.

The panel featured Adv. M Madhivanan, DLSA representative, Adv. V Steffinarose, panel advocate for SC/ST matters, and Dr Santosh Gandhi, senior consultant neuropsychiatrist, Donthams Specialty Clinics. Discussions focused on the systemic gaps between legal frameworks and the neurobiological realities of addiction, emphasizing holistic, human-centered approaches to prevention and recovery.
In his keynote address, retired Judge PG Ajithkumar stressed the importance of compassion in drug policy and underlined the need for a balanced approach that incorporates justice, mental health, and social reintegration.