Mangaluru: Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Kripa Alva today expressed grave concern over rising drug abuse in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district and said that the area had become a hub of drugs. 

Speaking at a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner's office here, she said the situation at present was critical with a large number of youth becoming victims of substance abuse. "Drugs had become easy accessible for youth in petty shops and hotels," she said. 

Pointing out that there had been several cases wherein police had seized drugs and arrested drug peddlers, Kripa said that in a recent instance they had confiscated 51 kg of ganja which was being smuggled from Kerala to Dakshina Kannada. 

She recalled several incidents where youths were involved in peddling ganja and said it may either be due to peer pressure or influence of Western culture. "Both smuggling and consumption of drugs is an offence," she said and urged the departments concerned to put a check on the menace. 

DCP Shantharaju said the Police Department was conducting awareness programmes on drug abuse for college students. 

Petty shops close to educational institutions are being raided and public should be vigilant and responsible to curb drug abuse in the city, he added. 

The meeting was informed that so far under NDPS Act, 12 kg of Ganja was seized in 2014, 16 kg in 2015 and 84bKg in 2016, while 21 cases were registered in 2014, 49 cases in 2015 and 121 cases in 2016.