Child rights panel chief seeks tough action against drugs menace in DK
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru Aug 20, 2016: Chairperson of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Kripa Alva has expressed her grave concern over rising drug abuse in the district and said that the district has become a hub of drugs.
Speaking at a review meeting held at Deputy Commissioner’s office on August 20, Saturday in the presence of DHO, CDPO and NGOs, she said the situation at present was critical with a large number of youth becoming victims of substance abuse. Drugs have become easy accessible for youth in petty shops, hotels etc, she said.
Pointing out that there have been several cases wherein police have seized drugs and arrested drug peddlers, Kripa said that in a recent instance police have confiscated 51 kg of Ganja which was being smuggled from Kerala to Dakshina Kannada.
She recalled several incidents wherein youths were involved in peddling ganja, and said it may either be due to peer pressure or influence of Western culture. Both smuggling and consumption of drugs is an offence, she said and urged the departments concerned to put a check on the menace.
DCP Shantharaju said that the Police Department was conducting awareness programmes on drug abuse for college students. Petty shops which are close to educational institutions are raided and public need to be vigilant and responsible to curb drug abuse in the city, he added.
It was informed at the meeting that so far under NDPS Act, 12 kg of Ganja was seized in 2014, 16 kg in 2015 and 84 Kg in 2016, while 21 cases were registered in 2014, 49 cases in 2015 and 121 cases in 2016.
ASP Vedamurthy and others were present.