In a late-night operation in Kochi’s Vennala area, the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) found 50g of suspected MDMA in a rented second-floor house. The young man arrested was cooperative initially, but fled during paperwork, injuring a policeman’s leg before being caught again. The raid adds to the growing drug problem in Ernakulam district, which recorded 6,914 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2025. Over 7,400 people were caught for drug-related offenses, with suspects trafficking synthetic drugs mainly from Bengaluru and Delhi, and ganja mostly from Odisha. Police have discovered creative smuggling tactics, such as heroin hidden in bicycle tires and drugs packed in juice straws dropped in public areas. They highlight a complex, multi-layered trafficking network dealing in small drug quantities to avoid detection. Many drug users are students who turn peddlers to support habits. Officers face challenges like encrypted messaging and lack of court witnesses due to fear. Psychiatrists warn that easy drug access promotes addiction, especially among youth from middle-class and troubled families. De-addiction treatments remain costly and out of reach for many. Personal stories underline the grave impact of drug abuse, including depression and suicide attempts. Experts call for better healthcare training to treat addiction as a medical issue rather than a crime. The police recommend Section 64(A) of the NDPS Act, which encourages rehabilitation for small-quantity offenders. In Ernakulam, 40 people used this option last year. Despite the fight against drugs, the key message is simple: say a firm no to the dark lure of addiction.