Scores join hands for ‘Walkathon’ against drugs

Team Udayavani, Sep 15, 2018, 3:03 PM IST

Udupi: ‘Walkathon 2018’, a campaign aimed at creating awareness against drugs addiction was organized at the district stadium at Ajjarkad here on Friday September 14^th. It was held under the aegis of the district police, Udupi District Working Journalists Union and Udupi Press Club.

The programme was addressed by Chikkamagaluru district superintendent of police, Annamalai, who expressed concern about the drugs mafia spreading its tentacles in Manipal and Udupi. over 80 drugs-related cases have been registered in the district under the leadership of superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi, he noted.

Mr Annamalai further observed that the supply of drugs cannot be stopped by regulating drugs. Drugs mafia has grown into a huge menace because of excessive demand for them by the youngsters. Drugs Mafia has spread like a terrible epidemic in India. More and more youngsters are falling prey to the habit of drugs misuse. Drugs can be controlled only when those who are under its grip voluntarily give up the addiction, he said.

The DSP expressed concern on the drugs mafia firmly entrenching itself in the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada and converting these districts into major hubs for drugs peddling. However, he also appreciated the efforts being made to create awareness about the ill effects of drugs use among the youth.

The programme was attended by Local MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation, Dr M Mohan Alva, district superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi and many other dignitaries.

Procession

A procession was organized before the meeting, from the bus stand near MGM College here to the district stadium at Ajjarkad. Over a thousand students of the local colleges took part in the march.