CP Sandeep Patil Stresses Youth Awareness and Vows to Fight Drug Peddlers at Anti-Drug Event
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Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police, along with Mangaluru South Police Station, marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with an anti-drug abuse program held at Town Hall, Hampankatta here, on June 26.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the usual hymn invoking God’s blessings. In an attempt to depict the real-life implications of drug use, the students of The School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya (Mangaluru) put up a creative skit that left a lasting impression on the gathering that mostly comprised students from a few local schools and colleges.
Welcoming the gathering, DCP (Law and Order) Hanumantharaya emphasized the importance of the function as it also marked the formal beginning of a two-month long initiative launched by the Commissioner of Police in an effort to spread awareness regarding drug abuse. The function was presided over by Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil. The event was also graced by other dignitaries, namely: Dr. Mahabala Shetty (KS Hegde Hospital), Dr. Carolina D’souza (Psychiatrist, Falnir Health Centre), Dr. Ananth Prabhu (Principal, Vikas College), and Mrs. Lydia Lobo (Link Rehabilitation Centre, Mangaluru).
Addressing the gathering IPS Sandeep Patil said, “I congratulate everyone who put up the skit earlier. Everything that I wanted to say about drugs was already depicted by the actors in the skit. By taking drugs in order to obtain a few minutes worth of relief and happiness, we end up losing our entire lives. Once we become entangled in drug use, it automatically leads to committing more serious crimes. The skit showed the police releasing the drug addict who snatched a chain with a mere warning. However, in reality, we will not let them free with a warning. Youngsters get attracted to a lot of things at this age. When youngsters get small freedoms, they tend to misuse it. Drug abuse not only affects the person, but it also affects his surrounding family and friends. Although the skit was jovial in some parts, please take my message seriously. Instead of using drugs, take up new activities such as participating in a marathon or cycling for 10-20 km.”
Later, Dr. Shetty spoke out against drug use by presenting amusing facts to the audience. He dispelled the misconception that drug abuse is a problem restricted to northern parts of India by stating that it is, in fact, Kerala that has the highest number of drug-related suicides. He also urged the Police Department to view drug-use and addiction not just as a crime but also as a mental illness that needs to be cured.
Talking about the societal stigma associated with seeking help from psychiatrists, Dr. Carolina D’souza encouraged the youth to get the appropriate treatment and cure themselves of the disease that is drug addiction. She also iterated several real-life, tragic cases of ambitious students losing their lives to drugs. On the same note, Mrs. Lydia Lobo stressed that drugs do not discriminate based on caste, religion, or gender. Lobo added, “The drug problem must be approached economically i.e. by cutting off the demand, we can put a stop to the sale of drugs.”
Finally, a member of Narcotics Anonymous, Mangaluru called Guru (name changed) said that while drug addicts can be cured of their addiction, they face considerable difficulty in assimilating back into society. He further said that attending meetings held by Narcotics Anonymous can help them overcome this predicament.
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Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Details:
Location: Mahila College, Jyothi
Timings: Sunday (11:30-12: 30 PM)
Location: YMCA, Falnir
Timings: Wednesday (6:30-7: 30 PM)