National
Drug abuse on the rise among youths in Bardibas Municipality
The number of drug smugglers and users in Bardibas, Mahottari district, is on the rise.The number of drug smugglers and users in Bardibas, Mahottari district, is on the rise.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Nishan Thapa at the Area Police Office said police have arrested 39 persons and registered 23 cases related to smuggling and drug use this fiscal year in Bardibas. There were six cases and nine arrests in the fiscal year 2073/74 which rose to 13 cases and 27 arrests in the year 2074/75. Police data for the last three consecutive fiscal years shows the increase in the number of smugglers and drug abusers.
Locals say the gradual increase in the number has been seen after the BP Highway, which connects Bardibas to Dhulikhel, came into operation. They are concerned about the increasing number of drug users, and are working on ways to prevent such usage among youths.
Sita Thapa, a resident of Bardibas, said that many youths can be seen engaging in drug-related activities in the market area.
“We are concerned for the future of our children. If the usage of drugs among youths is not curtailed then we are letting the next generation ruin their lives,” Thapa said.
Bidur Kumar Karki, chief of Bardibas Municipality, said that they are raising awareness campaign against drug use in the municipality. Karki said that the rural municipalities and municipalities would increase surveillance along the porous border and also raise awareness on the effects of drugs among youths.
According to the police, illegal drugs and prescription drugs are brought into Bardibas through Samsi and Bhittamod, which share border with India.
Police recently seized and destroyed large quantities of drugs including Nitravet, Spasmo Proxyvon, Nitrogen, among others, that were being smuggled into Bardibas.