Speaking at a function organised by the Mumbai police on the occasion of international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, Mendonca directed the officers and men of the premier police force of the country to make all out efforts to curb the problem of drug abuse.

``No special efforts are required to curb the problem. Only awareness and positive response will do,'' he said adding that the drive has to be undertaken in a planned manner as big underworld elements and militant organisation are involved in the systematic drug-trafficking in the country.

Mendonca pointed out that underworld and militant outfits are resorting to extensive drug-trafficking to spread social evils in the country and Mumbai has not escaped it. Apart fromthis, it is also posing severe health hazards like AIDS and hepatitis. He said that the police department should take stern action against the accused involved in narcotics cases.

He said that the anti-narcotics cell in the past have conducted several raids and have seized several consignments of drugs. Founder of Nav Nirman Foundation, Walter Picardo, who runs a rehabilitation centre at Kalyan, said that even people from good families are addicted todrugs.

He stressed the need for coordination between NGOs and police to solve problems at hand.