-->
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada DC Mandates Anti-Drug Committees in Educational Institutions

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada DC Mandates Anti-Drug Committees in Educational Institutions

Mangaluru DC Darshan HV mandates anti-drug committees in all educational institutions within a month to curb drug abuse among students.

Mangaluru, July 15, 2025: In a significant step to tackle the issue of student drug abuse,  Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV has ordered the establishment of Anti-Drug Abuse Committees in all educational institutions across the Dakshina Kannada district within the next month. This mandate was unveiled during a drug abuse prevention awareness event on Monday (July 14), which was a collaborative initiative by the Mangaluru City Police, National Service Scheme, Mangaluru Rotary Club, and Nitte Institute of Architecture.
DC Darshan HV highlighted the imperative for rigorous measures to shield students from substance misuse during his speech. A standardized operating procedure (SOP) has been developed with the primary goal of keeping students from becoming victims of drug addiction. The SOP includes the conduct of unannounced inspections, a strategy aimed at maintaining a drug-free environment within educational premises. He also cautioned that while the current approach is focused on awareness, strict enforcement measures would be taken if deemed necessary.
Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy echoed the call for proactive measures from educational institutions. To date, only 107 out of the district’s colleges have formed such committees. Sudheer Kumar Reddy emphasized that if schools do not undertake regular screening of students for drug use, the police will intervene with their own inspections. And expressed his concern that the inaction of the majority should not be allowed to negatively impact the entire student population due to the misconduct of a minority.
Sudheer Kumar Reddy further encouraged the implementation of anonymous reporting systems for drug-related activities, promising confidentiality and prompt intervention. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and educational bodies is a concerted move towards ensuring the safety and well-being of students by fostering a drug-free environment in academic settings.

Surprise Inspections and Early Detection

The initiative introduces a comprehensive system for conducting unannounced inspections in educational establishments to detect and address substance abuse in its initial stages. Sudheer Kumar Reddy cited a recent prison visit where inmates with drug addictions were discovered, emphasizing the need for timely intervention. He asserted, "By carrying out regular assessments, educational institutions can intervene before students encounter legal ramifications." 
Dr. Shrinivas Bhat, Psychiatry Department Chief at K.S. Hegde Medical College, listed critical signs of addiction such as altered behavior patterns, inconsistent attendance, and unusually frequent visits to restrooms. He advocated for implementing urine or blood tests to verify the presence of substances in the students' systems.

A Survivor’s Tale of Redemption

A powerful part of the event was when this ex-drug addict talked about their really tough time. They said, “I had big dreams, but drugs messed up my health, took my education and job, and even made me steal from my own family. We weren’t close anymore. Then one day, I decided to stop for good. But you know what? I can’t get that lost time back. So, guys, just don’t go down that road, okay?” It was like a warning to all the students to stay away from that kind of stuff.
The programme saw participation from key figures, including DCP (Crime) Ravishankar, Barn Again Recovery Centre founder Guruprasad, Deputy Director of Pre-University Education Rajeshwari, and Deputy Director of Social Welfare Hemalatha. Nitte Institute of Architecture Director Vinod Aranha and Deputy Drug Controller Sujit were also present. Geeta Kulkarni welcomed the gathering, Inspector Saleem Abbas of Panambur Police Station delivered the vote of thanks, and Akshata Shenoy compered the event.
Keywords: Mangaluru, anti-drug committee, drug abuse, educational institutions, Darshan HV, Sudheer Kumar Reddy, drug prevention, colleges, police action, drug-free campus

Ads on article

Advertise in articles 1

advertising articles 2

Advertise under the article