Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Sep 24: Spearheading the cause for the youth against drugs, the newly appointed district superintendent of police Laxman Nimbargi says that parents, teachers and society as a whole must come forward to aid the youth from falling victim to drug abuse.

Nimbargi a pass out of 2014 IPS batch has worked as a probationary officer in Bantwal. He was serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Chitradurga sub-division, before being transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police of Udupi district.

As Udupi’s SP, along with Udupi Working Journalists Association, Udupi District Police and Udupi Press Club organised a series of awareness programmes on battling drug abuse.

In an exclusive with Daijiworld, SP Nimbargi gives a brief account on the various initiatives taken to disrupt operations of drug cartel affecting Karnataka’s famed educational hub, Udupi.

This is your first posting as superintendent of police in Udupi. What do you feel about Udupi?

Udupi be it geographically or culturally is known for its rich diversity. Udupi lies on the beautiful coastal stretch and touches the lush Western Ghats. Many languages are spoken here. It is an educational, cultural hub. Many great industrialists have come from this region. People are very co-operative. It’s a good district to work for.

Many students, journalists and citizens joined hands in your ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign. Can you comment on the drug market in India?

The future of India is in the hands of its youth. A Chinese philosopher says if you want to destroy a country, attack the culture of youth in that country. Drugs are silently attacking our youth. In 1980’s Punjab was famed for its fertile land and agricultural crops. But today in Punjab more than 50% of youth are addicted to drugs.

Our department is meant for keeping an eye on law and order. When we look at USA, even though the law and order is strict, drug mafia is also strong. So this shows that only law and order cannot control these issues. If we bring awareness among people, they will be enlightened to take proper take decisions. We need to accept that drugs are a problem. Through this awareness programme, teachers, parents and society will get knowledge to teach their children what is good and what is bad.

What steps have been taken under this “Say no to drugs” campaign?

We are focusing mainly on students, educational institutions and parents. Because of one’s family problems, modernisation, one may be addicted to drugs. Today, we all are living in nuclear families. We do not share our problems with each other. Peer groups also play very significant role in this issue. Today’s youth don’t know how to face problems. If anything goes wrong, they go under depression. When the student completes graduation, parents and teachers role is reduced at this point of time. Students go under depression. In this situation, youth start using drugs for temporary relief. We have visited schools and colleges and are bringing awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and how to lead life after coming out of addiction. Students are requested to participate in various competitions related to drug awareness like short film making, newspaper making, walkathon, cyclethon, marathon and other competitions that are being held. We through our department are also taking strict actions against the drug peddlers.

How was the people’s response for this campaign?

People’s participation is also important to maintain law and order. Through media we are reaching out to the people. We have created teams both from police and journalists association who are actively working and getting in touch with people.

How can we enlighten youth to come out of drug addiction?

Self-realization is important. Youth should realize that they are doing wrong. That analytical thinking should cultivate in them. Many of them are falling prey to drugs without their knowledge. However, each one has a choice. Anti-drug squads should come up in all schools and colleges. There are strict punishments for drug peddlers and brokers. This combined effort of awareness and strict action may result in bringing change.

How parents and teachers should take care of their children who are addicted to drugs?

Parents are the best counsellors. They need to talk to their children. First of all we should find out the reason why he/she was taking drugs. There are many organisations which are working on counselling those addicted. Students spend their time in school, college premises. If anti-drug squads are established in colleges, it will help a lot. The teachers should maintain friendly relationship with students which will help in getting the information. This information will help us in tracking the drug peddlers.

Why you are focusing on Udupi alone?

Udupi is an educational hub. Students come here from faraway places. More than 30,000 students are studying in and around Udupi colleges. Drug problem has been there from the beginning. Drugs are supplied from Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to the city. We are working on disconnecting these channels. We have also informed parents about their child’s addiction whenever our team busts drug rackets. In some cases, students themselves supply drugs.

What is the reason for the growth of drug mafia?

Some easily want to make money. For them drugs mafia gives easy money. For 10gm of ganja, Rs 500 is charged. When you get the money easily you are ready to do anything. Poor people who are addicted to drugs involve in crimes like chain snatching, pick pocketing, robbery for making money. In case of rich people, they are ready to pay any amount for the drug. There is demand and supply of the drug. We are trying to cut the supply. Through awareness we can reduce the demand.

What is the final stage of addiction?

In most cases, one who sells the drugs does not consume it. He makes others addicted to it. The person who is addicted loses his life, peace of mind and health. In some cases, drug overdose leads to death. Some youth are extremely addicted that they can’t live without it.

What is the rehab process for the addicted ones?

There are many medical ways for the rehabilitation. Family plays an important part in this process. A new atmosphere must be created to help one who wants to come out of addiction. Changing the friend circle of the person who is addicted also helps. Counselling also helps a lot. Most importantly, the one who is addicted should know the harms and be ready to change.

What is your concluding message to our readers?

I am requesting all the citizens especially parents, to not just provide good facilities to children but keep an eye on their activities too. School or college administration should also follow certain system in the campus so that they will be notified about the drug supply and dealing. Citizens should accept that drug addiction is a problem. Inform the department if you find anyone who is involved in this business.

Watch full interview here: