The city police will intensify vigil against drug peddling and strict action will be taken against drug peddlers in the coming weeks, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjeev M. Patil here on Thursday.
Inaugurating a Swastya Sankalpa programme — an event to create awareness among school and college students on substance abuse — at Sharada Vidyalaya, Mr. Patil said that there is a rise in the number of cases of consumption and sale of cannabis being booked by the police.
“We are getting information from people,” he said and added that the police have intensified vigil against those allegedly involved in selling narcotic and psychotropic substances to school and college-going children.
Mr. Patil said that people had, during police-public contact programme, expressed concern over the sale of cannabis in Bunder and Ullal and other parts of the city.
He asked students to dial 100 and inform police about those selling cannabis and other banned drugs near their schools and colleges.
“Whenever you notice any suspicious activity, call the control room and we will take action,” Mr. Patil said and asked students to join hands with the police in fighting substance abuse.
Addiction
Vivek Vincent Pias from Janajagruti Vedike said that many high school and college students were getting addicted to medicine and substances such as whitener, petrol and Iodex.
He asked parents and teachers to keep a close watch on adolescent children who are vulnerable to substance abuse. Such students should be subjected to counselling and de-addiction therapy, he said.
President of Sharada Group of Institutions M.B. Puranik asked students to stay away from cannabis and other narcotic drugs. Students watched a 20-minute telefilm by T.S. Nagarabharana on substance abuse.
The programme was jointly organised by the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project and the Mangaluru taluk unit of the Akhila Karnataka Janajagruti Vedike.
Similar awareness programmes will be held in 55 schools in Kudroli, Pandeshwar, Attavar, Ullal, Talapady, Uchila, Kulai, Mukka, Jokatte, Bajpe, Yekkur, Neermarga, Moodushedde and Haleyangadi till August 31 this year.
