The problem of drugs and its abuse is not only serious in Punjab but also in the southern States and other regions of the country, said Additional Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (Karnataka and Kerala), Anjani Kumar.
Talking on the ocassion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (which fell on June 26) at the Yenepoya Medical College here on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar said intelligence inputs show drug abuse in several parts of the country. Small levels of drug abuse were reported in southern states. “If Punjab is flying (in reference to Udta Punjab), the other parts have also announced their boarding,” he said.
While being located in between the golden triangle of illegal drugs trade, Mr. Kumar said India has now turned out to be a major producer of opium. A good amount of cannabis was also being grown. More alarming, he said, was the sale of synthetic drugs to youngsters who were just out of academics.
Mr. Kumar said that in 2014-15, the DRI had seized 94 kg of heroin, 350 kg of hashish and 1,874 kg of cannabis in the country. A month ago, DRI sleuths raided a unit in Gauribidanur in Kolar district and recovered nearly 190 kg of anti-anxiety agent Alprazolam. Some quantity of Alprazolam was also seized from a place in Kerala, he said.
Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise M. Subramanyam said that drugs not just harms the addict but also causes irreparable harm to their family members. It was a matter of concern that children at a young age were getting addicted to correction fluid and prescriptive drugs. It was the responsibility of educational institutions to join hands with doctors and investigation agencies in fighting the menace of drug abuse.
Earlier, Mr. Subramanyam launched the Centre for Prevention of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Abuse of the Yenepoya Medical College. Alka Kulkarni, the Registrar of Nitte University and C.V. Raghuveer, the Registrar of Yenepoya University also spoke.
