Drug abuse is steadily destroying the future of young people and must be tackled through awareness drives and anti-drug pledges in every Jamaat, said B. Latheef, Special Public Prosecutor for the Karnataka Lokayukta Court.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 21st Swalaath annual gathering held at Hayat-ul-Islam Badria Juma Masjid and Madrasa, Edurupadavu, Moodushedde, Latheef voiced serious concern over the rising number of drug-related cases involving youth.

“If this trend continues unchecked, we risk losing an entire generation from the mainstream,” he warned, calling on religious and community institutions to step up and lead awareness efforts.

The event was presided over by Mayyaddi, president of the masjid and madrasa, while Sayyid Ibrahim Bathisha Thangal Al Bukhari of Anekal led the spiritual proceedings.

Several community contributors were felicitated, including M Ashraf (BHM Fruits), Mohammed Faizal (Alangaar Beedi), Haji Mohammed Hanif (A K Old Scrap), Hussain Thodar (SPT Constructions), Hasanabba Bajpe (MH Constructions), S Aliyabba, Adv. Abdul Nazeer, Abdul Razak (AR Constructions), and entrepreneur Khalid.

Dignitaries present included Safwan Irfani Mundole, Sajuddin, Abdul Azeez, Mohammed Anees, Ashraf Kettikal, Jamaluddin, Mansoor, Mustafa A K M, Zubair Yamani Jokatte, Jabir Jauhari, and Haji Hanif Musliyar.