Udta Kudla! Dum Maaro Dum..It’s Raining Drugs in M’luru
Udta Kudla! Dum Maaro Dum (Puff..take a Puff!)…It’s Raining Drugs in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The spread of drug abuse is not limited to Punjab only. Experts say even Mangaluru-the education hub is facing a serious social problem because of rise in substance abuse cases. The number of drug rackets busted recently by the law enforcement agencies indicates how the menace has spread across the city. The issue of drug addiction in Punjab became a national debate in the wake of the release of the controversial Bollywood film, “Udta Punjab”, last month. The makers of the film-based on the subject of drugs-had a bitter fight with the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Censor Board proposed 89 cuts in the film before it could be released. However, after the makers of the film approached the Bombay High Court the film was allowed to release with just one cut.
Then there was yet another Bollywood movie “Dum Maaro Dum” featuring Deepika Padukone- the movie was about drug dealers and addicts in Goa. Although there was a controversy over the theme of the film, where one particular promotional dialogue from the film “Liquor is cheap here and women are even cheaper here” caused quite a stir. Media professional Savio Rodrigues of Goa filed a petition to Goa Bench of Bombay High Court seeking a permanent ban on the movie stating that the wrong portrayal might attract sex offenders, drug launderers and criminals to Goa. But nothing much happened, instead the movie ran for packed houses. Some of the Western and Bollywood songs which carry lyrics of puffing and drinking also lead to addiction of these bad habits. “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton, or for that matter Bollywood songs like “Dum Maaro Dum”, “Hookah Bar” etc are bad influence on these drug addicts and alcoholics.
Believe it Not- Smoking weed and other forms of substance abuse are rampant on campuses in the city, but colleges say there is only so much they can do about it. It is noted that Addiction is spreading in colleges across the city, and is more widespread in professional colleges and institutions with foreign nationals. A former employee of a City medical college said, “Drug abuse cases rarely come to the notice of the college. But we notice the problem is serious where students from the northern states and foreign countries study in big numbers.” A student from the college said, “It is true many here do drugs, but we have no idea where they procure the stuff.”
Students who notice the doping don’t report it for fear of attacks. A student of a reputed engineering college speaking to Team Mangalorean said, ” Smoking weed has become common these days in the college campus, and also outside. Ganja has become a fad. A few years ago, students were scared they would be caught and punished, but now the fear is gone. Some of my friends claim they bring the ganja from Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and sell it at a higher price, claiming the quality is better. Smoking ganja has become more common than other kinds of drug abuse. A small number sniff on whiteners when they run out of ganja. Articles on the Internet claim smoking ganja is healthier than smoking tobacco, so many think it is okay to do it.
Whistle-blowers are not only afraid of assaults by addicts, but also skeptical about managements acting. The authorities think the reputation of the college is at stake. Colleges must work with the authorities, but they are very much reluctant, since they fear the institution name may get spoiled. Although some colleges have strengthened security at the international students’ hostel, but still drug abuse continues. Sources reveal that there is another problem in the age of private education: students are not sacked because that would affect the revenues of the college. Enforcement is poor and availability easy. Many times, the agents on the campus turn out to be students. The law should punish students who peddle drugs.
It is observed that children from rich families first try it for recreation, and then get hooked. The colleges must identify such students, counsel them and inform their parents- but no one cares to do it. Even though the school/college authorities know of the problem, but since it happens outside the campus, they cannot initiate action. But they should implement disciplinary mechanisms by having counselling cells on all campuses and also alert parents. And if the student is beyond control, he or she should be dismissed. It’s not just the common man is dealing drugs these days-Police have caught recently two medical students from a reputed city college, and just couple of days ago, a MBA student was caught dealing ganja.
During the weekend I patronized two popular pubs in the City, and I noticed that most of the youngsters were not high on alcohol, instead through drugs. Enter the toilets in these pubs, you will get the strong smell of Ganja-his proves that the youth are hooked on to drugs very badly. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, a engineering student (who wanted to remain anonymous) who was highly doped said, ” Sir, getting drugs or ganja is just a phone call away. Dial the number, mention the secret code, and your stuff is delivered with a few minutes. The best part is that even a cop is hand-in-hand with these dealers. So how can these drug dealers get caught, when cops also are corrupt “.
Many a times, youth commit murder or get into fight when they are high on drugs but not on alcohol. According to police, many of the brutal murders and assaults in the city have been committed by the miscreants under the influence of drugs. For example, few months ago, a group of ganja-addicted youth stripped and recorded the instance on the video camera of their friend by blackmailing him for money to purchase more ganja. And these youth admitted that they were highly intoxicated on drugs, which led them into that act. According to a activist, who has been fighting against drug peddling in the city had said that many a times police turn a deaf ear whenever they inform them about drug dealing that’s going on- and what’s worse is that insiders from the police department alert the drug peddlers if a raid is planned by their department.
Statistics about the substance abuse in the City from the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate reveal in 2014, there were 21 cases, 12 arrests and 11.987 kg ganja seized worth Rs 2,04,860; In 2015- 41 cases, 43 arrests, 16.129 kg ganja seized plus Rs 10 lac worth Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-total Rs 3,08,050; In 2016, 136 cases, 173 arrests-84.592 kg ganja seized worth Rs 15,45,150; Year by year the number of cases and arrests go up drastically, which shows that the the drug menace is on the rise in the City and DK. But what has our law enforcement done to control this drug abuse? Absolutely NOTHING!
During one of the meetings to discuss about drug addiction in the City, Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar had said,” Yes, drug abuse and addiction is on the rise here. I have informed the police to get them selves involved in prevention and prosecute those who involve in drug peddling. We need to educate young minds, so we have planned to organize workshops in educational institutions to sensitize students about drug abuse. While we doing our part to control this situation, we also need support from the public to fight against drug peddlers. If you notice anyone dealing drugs or anyone doing drugs, call the police hotline. Let’s work together to end drug menace in Mangaluru and DK. We want the participation of the denizens of the city to end the threat “.
Note: Pics for Illustrations only
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