Bengaluru police go on offensive against drug menace

Bengaluru: “A friend indeed, won't make you smoke that weed", "Do Math, not meth" are some of the catchy one-liners the Bengaluru city police are riding on to reach out to youngsters to stay away from drugs.

On Wednesday, the police rolled out a short movie, 'Paravasha' (possessed), on drug abuse on their social media platforms. As part of the campaign, the police have been regularly releasing short films on online platforms.   

More such short films will be released by the end of the week, senior officers told Deccan Chronicle. On reaching these films to those not on social media, a senior police officer said that the department has made CDs of these films. "The CDs have been sent to all the police stations. We have roped in resident welfare associations who will play these short films in their societies. The CDs will also be played at all schools." He said, "The department has taken several steps to curb the drug menace in the city. We are conducting awareness programmes in schools, colleges and hospitals to educate the people, especially youth. Special teams across all stations are keeping an eye on drug dealers. In last two weeks, over a dozen peddlers have been arrested for selling ganja, cocaine and other narcotic drugs."

The police have urged Bengalureans to fight the drug menace and said that the secrecy will be maintained if anyone wishes to report any illegal activity in their area. 

Additional Commissioner of Police (East) Seemanth Kumar Singh said, "It is a two-month programme, which is being implemented across the state, and not just the city. The department has adopted an end-to-end approach, where our teams work from the source to the target or the receiver."

He said, "Besides awareness, the police are also booking cases against drug peddlers. We won't spare any gang involved in drug business. In collaboration with rehabilitation centres in the city, we are making sure that the addicts get counselling sessions."