City police & parents join hands to take up cudgels against drugs

Nagpur: With a message that was loud and clear, Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal urged parents to engage in honest conversations with their children and also to educate them about the ills of narcotics. Singal was speaking at the awareness programme, ‘Fight Against Drugs’, organised by Nagpur Police at Chitnavis Centre on Saturday. The top cop said that parents need to be extra careful because the humongous exposure that children get in this internet age via mobile phones can also be detrimental to their growth because of negative influences. Singal highlighted the alarming rise in vaping among youth and urged parents to actively discourage their children from participating in such activities. He also warned about the perils of the dark web and assured that the cyber cell is vigilantly monitoring these sites.Drawing from his own experience in Haryana, his native place, Singal noted that the drug issue is not limited to Punjab alone, but has spread across the country, including Haryana. However, he sounded optimistic when he said that the situation is now beginning to reverse there which means we can fight this menace in Nagpur as well. Singal said that in a recent operation, Nagpur police arrested a criminal with 306 grams of narcotics valued at Rs 5,000 per gram. Along with the drug, the cops also seized two pistols and arrested the accused.Elaborating on the factors contributing to the spread of drug abuse, Singal pointed out accessibility, financial means, and lack of knowledge and information as the key drivers. He also highlighted the centrality of Nagpur’s location, with its extensive railway and bus connections to Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country as a factor facilitating the rapid movement of drugs.Singal stressed on the importance of an open dialogue and early identification of drug-related issues. He emphasised the crucial role of a strong rapport between parents and children in combating drug abuse.He reassured the public that the police are committed to help individuals overcome drug-related challenges. He also reaffirmed the police’s will to break the drug supply chain.Singhal concluded his address by saying the police department would instil confidence in citizens to join the movement against drugs and that they should not worry as the Good Samaritan law is in place to help them.

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The World Health Organisation reported loneliness as a global health threat affecting 1.25 billion people. It impacts mental and physical health, often leading to depression and addiction. The cycle can be broken through supportive social networks, hobbies, and community activities, as highlighted by clinical psychologist Saumya Dobhal.

Drug & booze use by cops on duty serious issue, says Cong

Yuri Alemao highlighted issues of drug, alcohol consumption, and gambling by on-duty police officers in the assembly. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant advised raising the issue with the home department. SP Nelson Albuquerque noted an increase in substance abuse among police officials, impacting their health, and called for strict action against such officers.

Mother son duo having Pakistan connection among 7 drug smugglers arrested in Fazilka with heroin and drug money

In Fazilka, the State Special Operation Cell arrested three individuals, including a woman, for smuggling heroin from Pakistan. The police recovered drug money worth 9 lakh rupees and 42 grams of heroin. In a separate operation, the Anti Narcotics Cell and BSF arrested four people with 1.5 kg of heroin and 8 lakh rupees. Investigations are ongoing.