Raising concern over the persistent drug and ganja menace, leaders of various student unions, teachers’ federations and civil society organisations on Tuesday called for stronger, more effective measures to curb the spread, especially near educational institutions.
Speaking at a round-table meet organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Vijayawada, leaders of various organisations underscored the need for concerted efforts to check the rapid rise in the menace and safeguard the future of youth in the State.
The federation’s State secretary G. Ramanna, Student Federation of India (SFI) State president K. Prasanna Kumar, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) State president Sridevi, former MLC and State president of Jana Vignana Vedika K.S. Lakshmana Rao and representatives of various other organisations spoke at the meet.
Stating that drug and ganja consumption had reached alarming levels across the State in recent times, they said youth were getting addicted and ruining their lives. Due to the influence of narcotics, criminal tendencies among youth had increased, particularly among teenagers, they said citing a study.
“Drugs are being openly sold near schools, colleges, engineering colleges, medical colleges, and universities in the form of chocolates, biscuits and tablets, targeting students for profit. The ganja mafia is also exploiting some unemployed youth for their activities,” said the federation leaders.
