Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Amrita International School of Law (AISL), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, hosted a panel discussion on the theme “Bridging the Gaps: Law, Mental Health & 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.
Thiru. G. Narayanan, Chairman/ District Judge, Permanent Lok Adalat, Coimbatore, and Thiru. K. Ramesh, Secretary/ Sub-Judge, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Coimbatore, delivered special addresses highlighting the judiciary’s role in rehabilitation and legal aid efforts. The panel featured Adv. M. Madhivanan, Advocate and 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, Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) P. G. Ajithkumar, Former Judge, High Court of Kerala, stressed the importance of compassion in drug policy and underlined the need for a balanced approach that incorporates justice, mental health, and social reintegration.
The program concluded with a student-led pledge against drug abuse, reaffirming the role of youth in promoting awareness and fostering social responsibility. The event was organised in collaboration with the Indian Society of Criminology, Lawctopus, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Coimbatore, and the National Service Scheme (NSS) of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
