Mangaluru: Rising drug abuse leading cause of crimes!

Mangaluru: Drug abuse has been the rising cause behind the recent criminal cases reported in Dakshina Kannada district, including Mangaluru city, and is posing a new challenge for the police.

A web of Mangaluru centric drug suppliers and sellers that sources the contraband from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and other parts of the country. It is learnt that ganja is the most easily accessible to youngsters who indulge in anti-social activities under the influence of drugs. Police have noticed a shift in the reasons behind the crimes. Drugs abuse is overtaking alcohol as the leading cause of crimes, police said.

Dakshina Kannada SP Hrishikesh Sonawane informed “Out of the accused arrested in 6 months of criminal cases in Dakshina Kannada district police jurisdiction, 12 have been found guilty of drug abuse. In addition, 7 cases have been registered in connection with drug abuse.”

More than 10 percent tested positive for drug consumption!

More than 10 percent of the crime accused were tested positive for drug use reveals an analysis of crimes reported from Mangaluru city and its outskirts. Drug abuse is even more dangerous than alcohol consumption.

Alcohol can trigger crimes of passion. The risk of premeditated serious crimes is higher when intoxicated with drugs like Marijuana. A juvenile who recently assaulted a Mangaluru policeman was also found to be high on drugs. Mangaluru DCP Hariram Shankar urged the community to take the drug menace seriously and cooperate with police who are waging war against drugs.

“Those who are addicted to drugs are more likely to get to know those involved in criminal activities. There are also those who often use drug addicts in criminal activities. Also, drug addicts are at high risk of committing criminal activity as they need money. Drugs also affect the brain, which draws them to criminal activities,” opined Guruprsad, a consultant who works with addicts.

Testing of suspected accused

As the drug menace is growing, police are employing medical drug tests on the crime accused. If found positive for drug consumption, such persons are being booked under The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).

276 kg of marijuana seizures

According to police commissioner N Shashi Kumar, drug search and seizure operations have been intensified in the district. As there’s a close link between drug abuse and criminal activities, drug cases have been taken seriously. More than 276 kg of ganja and other drugs have been seized from more than 230 cases since the beginning of this year under the Mangaluru police commissionerate. More than 378 people have been arrested so far in connection with drug abuse this year, he added.