Belagavi Police Intensifies Fight Against Rising Drug Menace Among Youth
In a decisive move to combat the escalating issue of drug abuse, the Belagavi City and District police have launched a comprehensive special campaign aimed at curbing the use of ganja and other narcotic substances, particularly among students and young adults. This initiative comes in response to alarming trends showing a significant increase in addiction cases, with most addicts identified as being around 20 years of age.
Growing Concern Over Youth Involvement
The proliferation of various intoxicants, including ganja, has become a pressing concern across Belagavi district, including the city itself. Authorities have noted with deep worry that a majority of youth, along with school and college students, are increasingly involved in both drug use and trafficking. Recent police data reveals that hundreds of young individuals were found to be drug addicts during more than 80 raids conducted over the past two months.
It is particularly distressing that the primary victims of this drug epidemic are individuals in their 20s, with minors also falling prey to addiction. Public reports indicate that young men aged 20 to 30 are easily accessing ganja and other drugs, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
Police Action and Inspections
Under the leadership of City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and SP K Ramarajan, the police have directed intensified monitoring, counseling, and preventive measures throughout the district. The campaign includes ordered inspections in educational institutions, as interrogations of those caught behaving inappropriately due to intoxication revealed that the drug menace has infiltrated schools and colleges.
In the last month alone, police have apprehended over 50 youths for consuming ganja, with at least 30 cases registered under the jurisdiction of Belagavi city police stations. This underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for robust intervention.
Notable Seizures and Past Incidents
The crackdown builds on previous enforcement efforts. For instance, in September of last year, the district CEN police arrested a man named Singadi Hirekodi for cultivating ganja on agricultural land in Nidagundi of Raibag taluk, seizing 440 kg of ganja valued at approximately Rs 22 lakh. More recently, on January 9, the Malmaruti police conducted a raid at the residence of a paediatrician in Shivabasava Nagar, uncovering 134 grams of ganja concealed in his bedroom.
Strategic Measures and Future Plans
To address this crisis, Commissioner Bhushan Borase has instructed staff to conduct checks on Pre-University (PU) and graduate-level students. In an experimental first phase, a select group of college students will undergo narcotics testing to gauge the extent of the issue. Additionally, police have urged parents with suspicions about their children to utilize 4-tick testing kits for awareness and early detection.
Commissioner Borase emphasized that proactive steps are being taken to monitor and reduce ganja use and drug addiction among students. A meeting with degree college principals is underway to formulate a detailed action plan, with all preparations finalized to launch the narcotics inspection campaign imminently. This holistic approach aims to not only enforce the law but also provide support and education to vulnerable youth.
