Law enforcers and police not enough, social awareness requisite against drug abuse
Dr Shashi Panja in the awareness event said about 6% of India’s population is victim to drug abuse including 1.2 crore children and around 7 crore adults
Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal. (Photo Credit: X/@CPKolkata) Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal said that the initiatives and steps taken by law enforcers and police isn’t sufficient to prevent drug abuse as the scale of the problem is huge and hence social influence to spread awareness plays a vital role, while speaking at an Awareness programme about International Day Against Drugs held at Body Guard Line, Alipore by Kolkata police.
According to a study by the government of India Kumar said, “1.2 crore children and around 7 crore adults are victims to some kind of drug abuse,” which now adds up to about 6% of India’s total population.”
Stating that addiction to so many people requires a huge infrastructure, Kumar said this is an ever-growing problem and the world is aware of it. “We are also aware and hence we celebrate this day against drug abuse to inform people,” the commissioner said.
Adding that awareness is important and it should reach every section of the society, Goyal said, “Even if one person can spread awareness about the consequences and the kind of lifestyle drug addicts end up with, to 10 people it would help to solve the problem.”
Dr Sashi Panja, Minister of Women & Child Development & Social Welfare Dept, Govt. of West Bengal who was the event’s Chief Guest said, “We warn people about the side effects of the drugs and we have been doing it for years now” as its consumption is associated with serious crimes. Panja further said that people become addicted to drugs after continuous consumption and often destroy another person’s life in order to enrich themselves.
“A significant portion of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Acts, which even surprises us, deals with young people who are caught selling or consuming drugs,” said the welfare minister.
Claiming that drugs have resulted in an increase in terrorism, illicit trafficking in people, and impacted the nation’s economy, Panja said drug trafficking “is a serious offence that even the international community is concerned about.
Several awareness programmes were held by Kolkata police ahead of June 26, World Drug Day as declared by the United Nations in 1987 against the drug abuse & illicit trafficking.
The programme was inaugurated on June 19, Wednesday with a sit-and-draw competition at the Police Training School by Narcotics Cell, Detective Department, involving rehabilitated addicts & those undergoing treatment.The winners of this event were also announced in the awareness programme.
On June 22, Central Division Kolkata Police also organised a rally at Esplanade with students and local people, emphasising on a drug-free society.
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