Drug abuse in city worries mayor

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 28, 2014: Speaking at ‘International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking’, organised by Link Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, in association with Indian Red Cross Society Dakshina Kannada, Junior Red Cross and Youth Red Cross Unit of University College Hampantakatta, at Ravindra Kala Bhavan of the college, the mayor said.

“Though laws have been tightened to check drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the number of drug addicts are on the rising in the city every year. Drug mafia is active in Mangalore city,” said Mayor Mahabala Marla.

“Drug peddlers are active near schools and colleges. Citizens should join hands with authorities in checking drug mafia. Creating awareness about the dangers of drug addiction is the need of the hour,” he said.

Link AACC Vice-President and Vishwas Trust Founder Olinda Pereira termed the drug abuse as a social evil in the modern world. Nobody knows solution to it. However, several youth die of drug abuse every year. The UNO and UNESCO should come out with a plan to curb this menace, she said.  She said that students play a vital role in creating awareness on ill effects of drug abuse. “Use of drugs is not the solution to overcome pressure to excel in studies,” she added.

University College Principal Dr Sathyanarayana Mallipattana advised the students to become an ambassadors of anti- drug abuse drive. Drug trafficking is an international menace. It will be a long and hard fight against a complex problem. However, it would save thousands of youth, he said.

Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Gatrude Veigas read out an oath to the students. Mangalore University Youth Red Cross Nodal Officer Prof Vinutha Rai read out slogans against drug abuse. Dr Aneesh Bhat spoke on ‘Substance abuse and psychological impacts on a person.

District Red Cross Society Chairman Prabhakar Sriyan, Women and Child Welfare Department Officer Usman were present. The idea that is needed is to ’walk the talk’ agreed all present.