BHADERWAH,NOV 25 (KNO) : Keeping in view the alarming drug addiction among youth in some areas of erstwhile Doda district included Bhaderwah the locals of Bhaderwah town and Bhaderwah campus students hold protest and demonstration seek stern action against the `ghost mafia’.Early in the morning hundreds of people hold protest and demonstration on Doda Bhaderwah road near Chaka bridge and shouted anti govt and anti drug peddlers slogans and demanded strict action against the mafia .Protesters alleged hundreds of youth including minors have fallen prey to this menace in Bhaderwah . Minors in the age group of 13- 16 have also taken to drugs in the area and administration is mum due to which youngsters could be seen taking drugs on the roadside even in broad day light. They alleged that a 'ghost mafia' is running this illicit trade in Bhaderwah to make quick fortunes and it has come to the fore that there is a peddler- addict nexus in the area.They also alleged that deaths of youngsters in Bhaderwah and other parts of Doda district because of drug overdose have substantially increased in recent years as groups of youngsters often fall prey to drug overdose as multiple drugs are taken to deepen the rush experienced. Meanwhile students of Bhaderwah campus of Jammu University also took out a procession from the premises of Campus which culminated in the premises of historical Sari Bazaar Bhaderwah . The rally passed through the town and surrounding areas raising slogans against use of drugs and making the country free of drugs.The students appealed to the people to shun the drugs and make the country free of it.Students were carrying placards like ‘Drug Free India’, ‘Drug Free J&K’ etc during the rally.Speaking Intikhab Khan president students Union of Bhaderwah campus said that drug abuse is increasing among youth at a fast pace in whole Bhaderwah and there is dire need that law enforcing agencies and parents should come forward to stop this menace . “Many unknown people in the area have made it full time business and they have even involved their children in it. Many among them have become addicts-cum-peddlers," he said.Drug abuse is evenly spreading in far off habitations in the area and the government as well as society brushes the problem under the carpet. "This is a major problem and we don't know why government and local administration is waiting for a major disaster," Naseer Ahmed Padder , president Youth Action Committee said, adding, more than 50 percent students here are involved into it. He said most of the addicts use easily available prescription drugs and substances like alcohol based cough syrup, painkillers, eraser fluid, nail polish and even shoe polish.The rest are alcoholics or use locally grown cannabis mixed with tobacco (KNO)