Mangaluru: With schools and colleges scheduled to reopen next month, Mangaluru city police have intensified measures against narcotic drug consumption by conducting random checks among students and other suspected consumers across the city. The exercise forms part of a broader effort by police authorities to assess the extent of drug use and strengthen action against drug networks operating in the region.
Police officials stated that the recent checks were undertaken to monitor patterns of drug consumption and identify potential links to illegal drug supply chains.
Around 400 tests conducted in recent days
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said nearly 400 tests had been conducted during the past few days as part of the drive.
According to the findings, around 13 per cent of those tested were found positive for narcotic drug consumption.
The Commissioner said the results were encouraging and indicated a possible reduction in drug circulation within the city.
He observed that the findings suggest drug peddlers may have reduced the sale of narcotic substances in the city following continuous enforcement efforts by the police.
The testing exercise was undertaken ahead of the reopening of educational institutions as authorities seek to strengthen preventive measures and discourage drug consumption among students and youth.
Police to continue action against peddlers
Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the city police would continue efforts to identify and apprehend drug peddlers by tracing supply channels through consumers.
He stated that police action relating to the sale and consumption of narcotic substances at police station level would continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis.
Authorities believe that sustained monitoring and regular review mechanisms are important for maintaining pressure on drug networks and preventing a resurgence in illegal activity.
The Commissioner also indicated that enforcement efforts would remain active in the coming months.
Joint operations with district police
Following directions from the Home Minister, the Mangaluru city police and Dakshina Kannada district police have been jointly carrying out operations to curb drug sale and consumption.
Police officials stated that coordination between departments has been strengthened to improve intelligence gathering and enforcement activities.
Sudheer Kumar Reddy noted that completely eliminating drug sale and consumption remains a challenge, but authorities are attempting to reduce the problem through strict legal action.
He said both peddlers and consumers are being proceeded against under relevant legal provisions as part of deterrence measures.
Police also stated that consumers identified during the process are undergoing de-addiction counselling sessions.
Previous checks also indicated similar trends
Police data from the previous academic year showed similar findings.
During the 2025–26 academic year, city police conducted random visits to colleges and carried out drug consumption tests among students.
Out of more than 5,000 tests conducted during that period, approximately 12 per cent were found positive for narcotic drug consumption.
Similarly, on December 31, police conducted around 400 random tests at various parties across the city and found nearly 13 per cent positive cases.
The similarity in figures has provided police with comparative data regarding patterns of drug consumption within the city.
Anonymous reporting system aiding police efforts
Authorities said students, parents and educational institutions have also been cooperating with anti-drug initiatives.
Information regarding drug sale and consumption has been reaching police through a QR code-based anonymous reporting portal launched in June 2025.
The reporting mechanism allows individuals to share information confidentially, enabling police to receive inputs without revealing the identity of informants.
Officials believe public participation and awareness initiatives will continue to play a significant role in efforts to tackle drug-related issues and strengthen preventive action.