Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 15: 'Walkathon 2018' was organized at the district stadium at Ajjarkad here on Friday September 14. The programme, which was in the form of a campaign, was aimed at creating awareness against drugs addiction.

The programme, held under the aegis of the district police, Udupi District Woking Journalists Union, and Udupi Press Club, was addressed by Chikkamagaluru district superintendent of police, Annamalai, who expressed concern about the drugs mafia spreading its tentacles in Manipal and Udupi. He noted that under the leadership of superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi, over 80 drugs-related cases have been registered in the district.

"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 observed.

Annamalai expressed dismay at the fact that the drugs mafia has been entrenching itself firmly in the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada and both these districts are becoming major hubs for drugs peddling. He hailed the efforts being made to create awareness about the ill effects of drugs use among the youth.

Local MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, chairman of Alva's Education Foundation, Dr M Mohan Alva, district superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi etc were present.

Before the meeting, a jatha was organized 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 jatha aimed at alerting the young people about the horrible effects of drugs use.