Mangaluru: The Mangaluru city police commissionerate has completed the first phase of its awareness and drug-testing drive across school and college campuses, concluding extensive checks aimed at curbing rising drug consumption among students. The initiative, launched soon after Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy took charge, covered 77 educational institutions, where 20 students were found to have consumed narcotic substances during random tests.

The commissioner, who initiated an intensified crackdown on drug peddling and consumption, particularly in college campuses, instructed officers to carry out random tests without yielding to pressure. Despite objections from a few college administrations, the drive continued, with police making it clear that student safety and drug-free campuses would remain a priority.

Breakdown of testing across divisions

Between 1 June and 30 November, random drug-testing was organised in colleges under the Mangaluru city police commissionerate limits. The exercise spanned three sub-divisions—South, Central, and North—covering 5,069 students in total, of whom 14 tested positive.

In the Mangaluru South sub-division, comprising Ullal, Konaje, and Mangaluru Rural, 1,601 students from 29 colleges were tested. Eight students returned positive results, while 1,593 tested negative.

In the Mangaluru Central sub-division—Bunder, Urwa, Kadri, and Pandeshwar—tests were administered to 1,448 students across 30 colleges. Among them, six tested positive and 1,442 were negative.

The Mangaluru North sub-division, covering Panambur, Kavoor, Bajpe, Surathkal, Mulki and Moodbidri, saw tests conducted on 2,020 students from 11 colleges. No positive cases were detected in this region.

Police officials highlighted that the overall numbers reflected both the scale of the operation and the need for sustained vigilance, especially in areas reporting higher positivity rates.

Resistance from college managements

The drive encountered hesitation from several college administrations who initially refused to allow on-campus drug tests. As a result, the police shifted to checks in the vicinity of campuses. During these off-campus operations, a few students from different institutions tested positive. Their reports were promptly shared with the respective managements, leading to greater cooperation and eventual approval for on-campus testing.

During off-campus checks in the South sub-division, 30 students from three colleges were tested, with all students returning negative results. In the Central sub-division, 88 students from 18 colleges were checked, with four testing positive. In the North sub-division, 139 students from seven institutions underwent testing, and two tested positive.

The police stated that the shift in approach helped bring several reluctant institutions on board, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts in maintaining drug-free environments.

Call for mandatory admission-time testing

Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy urged colleges to implement drug-testing during the admission process as a preventive measure. He noted that a few institutions have already introduced the practice, which he believes sends a strong message to students and parents while discouraging drug use on campus.

According to Reddy, such early intervention could significantly reduce the likelihood of students resorting to narcotics during their academic years. He encouraged all colleges to adopt this model to strengthen their commitment to student welfare.

Second phase to begin in January

Reddy announced that the second phase of the drug-testing initiative will commence in January. This phase will focus on re-testing students who were found positive in the first phase, in addition to testing newly admitted students across colleges.

The commissionerate aims to build on the momentum generated during the first phase and ensure that campuses remain safe, drug-free learning spaces. Officials added that awareness programmes will continue alongside testing to educate students about the dangers of drug use and the legal consequences associated with it.