Mangaluru: Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students Federation of India (SFI), Adivasi Samanvaya Samiti, Dalitha Hakkugala Horata Samiti, Dalitha Sangharsha Samiti and other forums protested on Friday, against the increased cases of rampant drug abuse in the region.

Addressing protesters near the deputy commissioner’s office here, DYFI Dakshina Kannada district secretary Santhosh Bajal said the district is slowly turning into a market for drug peddlers. “Students in the district have easy access to drugs and this leads to various crimes. People’s representatives have been ignoring such a major issue. The district administration and police should take stringent measures to check the sale of drugs,” he urged.

He added that a large number of crimes reported in the district are committed under the influence of drugs. “It is not possible to reduce the crime rate without putting an end to drug peddling,” he added.