Mangaluru: “If illicit drug menace is not prevented now, it will become a social epidemic in future,” Mangaluru City Police Commissioner T R Suresh said.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on ‘Role of teachers in preventing drug menace’ as organised by the Forensic and Toxicology department of K S Hegde Medical Academy of Nitte deemed to be university at Deralakatte on Tuesday, he called upon the teaching community to create awareness among students.

Stating that youth comprises a major chunk of the victims of drug menace, Suresh said that suicide cases related to drug addiction which were limited to urban areas have now spread to rural areas as well.

“There is a need for combined efforts by teachers and parents in preventing illicit drug menace. Parents and teachers should keep an eye on teenagers so that the problem can be rectified at the right time and be solved through counseling. A counseling centre should operate in every educational institution,” he said.

Superintendent of Police Dr B R Ravikanthe Gowda said that drug racket is a hindrance for the development of a nation. Illicit drug peddling attracts a legal action equal to that of murder. On coming across any clue on drug peddling, the public should inform the police, he said.

Nitte deemed to be university Pro Chancellor Prof M Shantaram Shetty said that a well-planned racket of making students fall victims to drug abuse is being carried out. Educational institutions should create awareness on the same, he stressed.

Nitte Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department head Dr Mahabalesh Shetty, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Uma Prashanth, Assistant Police Commissioner K Rama Rao were the resourcepersons during the workshop.

K S Hegde Medical Academy Dean Dr P S Prakash and Dr Suraj Shetty were present.

Around 200 lecturers from various colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts took part in the workshop.