Minorities more vulnerable to drug abuse in Bengaluru?

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Addiction is a disease that develops over time; it can happen to anyone irrespective of their age, gender, or upbringing.

The choice is usually made in that first drink, that first smoke, that first pill. A conference was organised by Karnataka State Minorities Commission (KSMC) on Thursday to discuss the ill effects of drug menace and its prevention in minority-dominated areas in the city.

Police officers from Shivajinagar, RT Nagar, DJ Halli, Kalasipalya, Byatarayanapura, Nayandahalli and Gangondanahalli, which are identified as most vulnerable to excessive use of drugs in Bengaluru, participated in the discussion with the Chairman of the Minorities Commission, Abdul Azeem.

Several NonGovernmental Organisations, staff from rehabilitation centres, advocates and medical practitioners also voiced their concern.

The Bengaluru police have been creating various campaigns to create awareness among youth, but it seems the campaigns do not reach youngsters residing in the identified areas most of which are slums.

While there is no data on illicit drug abuse in minority groups, a police officer attached to JJ Nagar said that the issue is "bigger than we think."

The police explained the modus operandi of drug peddling activities in the city and how youth get trapped in the addiction. Ashwaq Ahmed, from 'We, the People' foundation said that their NGO had carried out various 'Nasha Mukt' campaigns to differentiate between peddlers and abusers.

"Police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) against the accused who turns out to be a peddler or an abuser. He is charged and imprisoned for a brief time after which he is released only to continue carrying out the same criminal activities," he said.

He also alleged there is a huge difference between the number of accused and the convictions here.

'Young school dropouts sniffing fevibond glue and whitener'

A city-based advocate, Saddam Baig, shared his experience of living at Goripalya while witnessing young school dropouts sniffing something near the underpass many years ago.

He found that they were sniffing fevibond glue and whitener.

"Acquittals in drug-related cases happen due to procedural lapses. There is no severe punishment for the accused," Baig said.

He further explained how the accused in NDPS cases go hunting for advocates who are ready to defend their cases and get them released.

No fear of law

Dr Safia pointed out how several medical stores are selling medicines to customers without a prescription.

"I have attended to many drug addicts and most of them were youngsters. When asked, they even confess to having consumed drugs. I warned a 10th-class student that I would hand him over to the police if he ever did drugs. To my shock, he answered that the police will let him go after a short time," she said.

Several new forms of drug abuse that have recently surfaced in Bengaluru were also shared during the session. Children in slums who don't have access to high-quality drugs were often found using volatile substances easily found in corner stores such as cough syrups, pain relief ointments, glue, paint, gasoline and cleaning fluids.

While these are common, cases of snake venom being used as a substitute for opioids here came as a shock to everyone. Such a case was reportedly witnessed in Kalasipalya.

'PUNISH PARENTS GUARDIANS, BOOK A CASE AGAINST THEM'

The police and NGOs agreed that lack of parental intervention is the main cause of drug and alcohol addiction in youngsters.

Noting down all the points, KSMC chairman Abdul Azeem said that there is no denying that in the absence of proper policing, slums could easily become a breeding ground for criminals.

"The punishment should be stricter. I suggest the police must book a case against the parents and guardians of NDPS accused for their carelessness," he said.

It was also decided that the police take the help of so-called "local leaders" from these areas and direct them to keep an eye on the youngsters.

"Addiction is the root cause of most of the criminal activities and if we can control this, we can reduce the crime graph of the city," Azeem said.

He also assured that he would bring these issues before the state government and also requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to induct more personnel into the department.