Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 3: When Mangaluru is gaining prominence as one of the best educational hubs in India, issues such as drug abuse amongst students and availability of drugs here have become worrying for the past couple of years.
Police department is striving hard to curb the drug menace and has also succeeded in nabbing many notorious drug peddlers. Drug menace has a strong connection with the world of crime. The root cause for most of the crimes is drug addiction.
ACP Rama Rao
Educational institutions
ACP South division Rama Rao attributed the rise of drug supply in the city to the presence of large number of educational institutions. “Students are easy targets for drug peddlers as they easily fall prey to drugs. A drug peddler is usually not from a well- to-do family. He basically is finding ways to make quick money to overcome poverty, not knowing the consequences of it. Drug peddlers can do anything for money and later end up in committing crimes such as robbery, chain snatching, and murder,” he pointed out.
“Drugs are mainly supplied to the city from neighboring states. Awareness is the key to curb drug abuse and to avoid students from falling prey to such drug abuse. There are two types of drugs, natural and chemical drugs. Once a person is addicted to chemical drugs, then it is impossible for him to come out of it,” Rao added.
“We are more concerned about the students who are being victims of drug abuse, mainly in age groups 17 - 22 years. It is a matter of a student’s future. Students should be aware about narcotics, drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS act) and the quantum of punishment connected to such cases,” Rao said.
Drug awareness drive
“Recently we conducted drug awareness drive in the city, which had positive impact and satisfying outcome. Over 5000 students took part in this drive. We were able to reach to maximum number of students and create awareness on drug abuse.” he informed.
“On September 24 and 27, four persons from Mangaluru were arrested for illegally selling MDMA (Methylene Dioxy Methamphetamine) drugs in two separate cases. The drugs weighed a total of 110 grams. In one case, MDMA drug was illegally brought to the city from Mumbai and the peddler was trying to sell it to Mangaluru public,” he said.
Speaking on the role of parents and teachers, he said they play an important role in curbing drug abuse. “Teachers of the institution play prominent role in curbing drug abuse. Teachers and lecturers should identify the students based upon their behaviour, irregularities to the class which helps to curb drug abuse. Faculty members can follow up on the students and stop them from being victims of drug abuse by keeping close watch on them. There is possibility that students consuming drugs sometimes turn peddlers so that they can make quick money,” he said.
"When more cases are registered it, does not mean that the drug abuse is more, but it shows that the law and order is effective in curbing the menace. When we nab a peddler, then automatically supply gets disconnected. Pubs can also be one of the centers where peddlers can sell drugs to the customers with or without the knowledge of pub owners,” pointed out Rama Rao.
Cooperation needed
ACP Rama Rao also said, “Most of the students are unaware about NDPS Act and its quantum of punishment. Recent awareness campaign helped us to convey this information to the public, mainly the students,”
"Education department had taken concrete measures to curb down ragging by passing notifications and setting up anti ragging committees in the institution. Similarly, education department and government should take concrete measures in creating awareness about NDPS law. Drug abuse can be controlled by two ways- one is, enforcement of law and awareness of the law in colleges at education level. Second is , combined efforts from educational institutions and police department in controlling drug abuse,” concluded Rama Rao.