Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Sep 18: "Drug abuse has become a huge epidemic in Punjab and in most of the cases students are the customers of drug peddlers. About 25% of the students in Punjab are addicted to drugs, and it is said that these drugs are being smuggled from Pakistan," said inspector general of police (IGP) (western range) Amrit Paul.
He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating a one-day seminar on 'Drug abuse among children' here on Friday September 18, at Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work, Mangaluru. The seminar was organized by the department of criminology and forensic science, Roshni Nilaya College in collaboration with the Mangaluru police department.
He said, "The young generation does not want to get addicted to drugs. They just want to experience it. But if you try for the first time, you will become addicted forever. Teachers must inform their students that it is not worth it.
"There are various kinds of drugs like, cocaine, opium, brown suger or heroin, ganja and others, which are very dangerous. Once you are addicted to these drugs, you will not be interested in talking to your parents, friends and family. You will stay away from all the activities," he added.
Paul also said that teachers' role in curbing drug menace is as important as police department's. "Show youngsters videos of consequences of drug abuse," he said.
Walter D'Mello, DDPI of Dakshina Kannada said, "Earlier, people used to think only college students would get addicted to drugs. But now even high school kids are also getting addicted to it. We are seeing a lot of behavioural changes in high school chilren. Teachers and everyone must hold awareness programmes on this issue right from the primary level."
On this occasion, 'Crime Reflection', a book brought out by the department of criminology and forensic science, was released by superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa S D.
Prior to the seminar, the criminology department of Roshni Nilaya organised 'Forensic Exhibition-2015' which was inaugurated by IGP Amrit Paul.
Prof B M Madhav, department of research, Dr Sophia Fernandes, principal of Roshni Nilaya College, Dr Lakshmi Narayan, registrar and others were present.