CPI(M) Kannur district unit made a novel initiative by opening a de-addiction and counseling centre to help alcoholics and drug addicts today at Chovva today.

The centre opened by Initiative for Rehabilitation for Palliative Care, Kannur , an NGO floated by CPI(M) in 2012 will be dedicated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on April 13.

"The centre has started functioning from today. We have set up an inpatient wing with ten beds. Three doctors and a counselor with nine support care staff were appointed," P Jayarajan, Kannur District Secretary of CPI(M) told India Today.

According to him, the party has decided to actively involve with the de-addiction campaign in the district and wanted to free the district from alcoholism and drug addiction.

The de-addiction centre.

"Our aim is to help people who were trapped in drug net. We have made surveys and found that large numbers of youth are trapped in drug net," Jayarajan revealed.

Asked whether the CPI(M) is trying to save addicts at a time LDF government had liberalised liquor policy in Kerala, Jayarajan smiled.

"You can criticise us for opening a de-addiction centre as a paradox. But we have conducted survey and found that many had fallen in drug addiction. It's our responsibility to create awareness among public that drug addiction is deadly. We have started our campaign in schools against drug addiction. Our aim is to save next generation from addiction," Jayarajan told India Today.

According to him, the initiative aims to free people from addiction in Kannur district.

"Many people who committed suicide after they were addicted to drugs or alcoholism. We have set up round the clock help centre for counseling," he explained.

67-year-old Jayarajan is known as the strong man of CPI(M) in Kannur and was censored by CPI(M) Kerala leadership for "self-glorifying". He was brutally attacked by RSS on 1999 August 25, Onam Day.

But, Jayarajan gifted the party impressive victory in 2016 Assembly Election and remained as the darling of the cadres.

"At least, the media should pat us for taking up a challenge tackling a social problem. Without stable families, We can't go ahead with our political campaign. CPI(M) set up Palliative care unit in 2012 and providing care to 12361 terminally ill. "We have 218 units across the district with youth volunteers. Among the persons receiving our care 2256 are cancer affected and 1238 are mentally or physically challenged. We don't mix politics in our care," he concluded.

CPI(M)'s intervention in social sectors has given the party an edge over others. With social intervention and life Mission, CPI(M) is building their political fortress in Kerala.

Also read: 'What have we become?' Rahul Gandhi asks on Kathua gangrape and murder case

Also watch: Modi under pressure over Cauvery water sharing, Kamal Haasan writes open letter to PM on issue