By Thomas Scaria
Kottayam: August 31, 2026: A pioneering Church-based addiction recovery center in Kerala, celebrated its Ruby jubilee by bringing together the founders and hundreds of recovering persons in Kottayam on August 29.
Total Response to Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TRADA) is an organ of the All Kerala Joint Christian Temperance Movement started in 1987 as an Ecumenical venture of the major five Episcopal Churches (Catholic, Jacobite, Orthodox, Church of South India and Marthomite) in Kerala.
Medical Mission Sister Joan Chunkappura, who has directed the treatment center since 1987, described various milestones of the Organization and the roles played by the institute in leading the temperance movement, managing the recovery program, and its various other programs like training professionals in this field.
TRADA offers a comprehensive residential treatment program for individuals struggling with addiction. “For over four decades, TRADA has remained committed to its mission, providing a hope for individuals and families to recover from addiction”, said Sister Chunkapura, the Founder Director.
TRADA’s remarkable work has earned a National Award in 2014 for its residential De-Addiction Treatment Programme sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), Government of India. Sister Chunkapura was also honoured by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India last year.
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, inaugurated the Rubi celebrations and lauded the contributions of the church in leading the temperance movement as well as recovery programs in India. He said, despite all the efforts, substance abuse is growing as a threat to society.
Bishops representing the ecumenical churches in Kerala graced the occasion, and awards were distributed to outstanding personalities who contributed to the fight against drugs and alcoholism in society.
(Photo supplied)