'Include drug abuse in syllabus'

MANGALURU: Karnataka police have mooted a proposal to include a chapter on the deleterious effects of drugs in the CBSE syllabus.

Om Prakash, DG&IGP, said the proposal was put forth during a meeting held on Monday. " We are looking at targeting students from Class VIII and create awareness on the ill-effects of drugs,'' the cop said.

The meeting chaired by S K Patnaik, additional chief secretary (home department), had an extensive agenda, but the discussion was limited to hearing grievances from NGOs and school authorities on how drugs and tobacco products are being sold outside institution premises without any fear of law.

Patnaik said: "There is drug abuse in the coastal cities of Mangaluru and Manipal, the education hubs of the region. We are here to take corrective measures, otherwise the situation will get out of hand. We want to take the bull by its horns."

Shreelatha Ullal, academic administrative officer, Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, said one of the students, whom she had confronted, had clearly told her not to force him to reveal his supply source, but challenged her that he would get whatever quantity or variety of drug .

The students also told her that catching the supplier legally was of no consequence as he would come out within 24 hours by allegedly paying the police.

She said this tendency was mostly seen in students staying outside hostels in paying guest accommodations.

Others pointed out that Farangipete, Adyar, on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway in Bantwal taluk, were the main supply points. "Students know where to get it and from whom," they said.

They also urged police to constitute a special task force to contain this menace.

Police officials, however, stated that they will strengthen their own network and there is no need for a special task force at this moment.