There is a great need to increase awareness on drug abuse and prevention as the Indian youth have become prime targets for the international drug peddlers, who are looking for vulnerable youth to expand their narcotic trade, said S. Davidson, regional director of Southern Region, Narcotics Control Bureau, Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Not much was known about cocaine here a few years back. But now it is available and there are youngsters who can afford to buy this at Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 per gram everyday. Efforts should be made to see that there is no demand for this by creating awareness,” said Mr. Davidson.
Addressing as a chief resource person at an awareness workshop on “Drug abuse and awareness among youth and college students” here on Tuesday,
Mr. Davidson said the seriousness of the situation could be gauged from the fact that produced somewhere in South America, cocaine was now finding its way into the hands of youth at many cities and towns in the country. Where pub culture and night life were flourishing, peddlers from South Africa were looking for vulnerable youth and this should be addressed with awareness through formation of anti-narcotic clubs at college level, he added.
The City Police Commissionerate organised the workshop to which principals, faculty and students were also invited to share the experiences and information.
Police Commissioner Amit Garg, who welcomed the gathering, said they had to tackle a few cases of drug abuse in the city these days and the department was of the view that college managements and students should be sensitised to the threats lying ahead.
He said colleges also should also organise awareness programmes on drug abuse as part of prevention. About 28 cases of illegal possession of narcotic substances were booked from July last year to June, 2011 and large quantities of ganja was seized.
Noted psychiatrist Indla Ramasubba Reddy and Deputy Commissioner of Police M. Ravindranath Babu made power point presentations when they explained about the myths and facts about the abuse of different drugs among different sections.
Among those who addressed the workshop include former MP Chennupati Vidya, and drug control department assistant director Vijay Kumar.
