Mangaluru: Emphasising the critical role of public participation in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy on December 27 said that information shared by citizens had helped the Mangaluru City Police arrest 25 drug peddlers in the past week alone. He urged people not to remain silent and instead actively report cases of drug addiction and peddling to the police.

Mr. Reddy was speaking at the launch of the ‘Drug Free Mangaluru’ campaign, organised by the Make the Change Foundation in association with the Mangaluru City Police, at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre. The campaign aims to create large-scale awareness among students, parents and the wider community about the dangers of narcotic drug use and the importance of early intervention.

The Police Commissioner said drug abuse was no longer an isolated issue but a serious social problem that required collective responsibility. “Students, parents, educational institutions and religious leaders should not sit idle. They must report to the police about those addicted to drugs or involved in drug peddling,” he said, adding that the police have provided a QR code through which information can be shared confidentially.

Arrests highlight gravity of drug menace

Mr. Reddy highlighted the harsh realities faced by those involved in drug-related crimes by referring to the situation in Mangaluru prison. He revealed that an Indian Institute of Technology graduate was recently arrested along with a Nigerian national for drug peddling. “He now wants to come out of prison and lead a good life. But he has been booked for an offence for which the minimum sentence is 20 years of imprisonment. In such cases, getting bail itself is extremely difficult for at least six months,” he said.

According to the Police Commissioner, around 120 persons arrested for alleged drug peddling are currently lodged in Mangaluru prison, and another 50 accused are likely to be arrested and sent to prison shortly. He noted that more than 80% of the prison inmates are affected by narcotic drugs, either directly or indirectly.

“Narcotic drugs destroy a person’s thinking power once consumed. There are inmates who have committed serious crimes under the influence of drugs, something they may never have done otherwise,” Mr. Reddy said, warning that drug abuse often acts as a gateway to other criminal activities.

Student testing reveals alarming trends

Sharing data collected by the city police, Mr. Reddy said that so far 10,000 students from 100 educational institutions in Mangaluru have been tested for drug consumption. Of these, 50 students tested positive.

He urged educational institutions to take a proactive approach by conducting drug tests at the time of admission and thereafter once every three months. “Early detection can prevent long-term damage to students’ lives and futures,” he said.

Mr. Reddy also stressed the importance of parental vigilance, calling upon parents to closely observe changes in their children’s behaviour. “Addiction often begins subtly. Parents must remain alert and seek help at the earliest signs,” he added, while also emphasising the need for care and counselling for addicts rather than only punitive action.

Make the Change Foundation plans 102 programmes

Speaking on the occasion, Suhail Kandak from the Make the Change Foundation said the organisation has planned 102 programmes aimed at creating awareness among youth about the dangers of drug abuse. These programmes will be conducted across educational institutions and community spaces in and around Mangaluru.

He said the foundation believes that sustained awareness, coupled with community involvement, is essential to prevent young people from falling prey to drugs. “Our focus is on education, prevention and rehabilitation,” he added.

Religious leaders call for moral and social responsibility

Religious leaders from different faiths also addressed the gathering, underlining the moral and spiritual dimensions of the drug problem. Mangaluru Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha said addiction creates a void in the human heart. “This void can be caused by drugs, communalism or the misuse of power. It can be filled only with happiness, goodness and purpose. One must create space for God and lead a meaningful life,” he said.

Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation general secretary Anees Kausar Ali expressed the need for establishing a dedicated drug de-addiction centre in Mangaluru to provide structured rehabilitation and support for addicts. Swami Yogishananda from Ramakrishna Mutt also spoke on the occasion, highlighting the role of values, discipline and spiritual guidance in preventing substance abuse.

Conclusion

The launch of the ‘Drug Free Mangaluru’ campaign marked a renewed call for collective action against drug abuse in the city. With the police, civil society organisations, educational institutions and religious leaders coming together, the initiative seeks to curb drug peddling, support addicts and safeguard the future of the city’s youth through awareness, vigilance and timely intervention.