Dakshina Kannada DC calls for coordinated efforts to eradicate drug menace

Team Udayavani, Dec 7, 2024, 11:08 AM IST

Mangaluru: With rising cases of drug abuse in Dakshina Kannada, District Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M.P. emphasized the need for a collective effort across all departments to eliminate drugs from the region.

Presiding over a meeting held at the DC’s office on Friday, Muhilan expressed concern over drug addiction among students and stressed the importance of awareness programs in educational institutions to tackle the issue. He proposed appointing nodal officers and counselors at the school level to monitor student behavior closely.

The DC suggested that if any student is found to be addicted to drugs, they should be provided with counseling to help them recover. Also, the police must be informed about the sources from where students are procuring the drugs for investigation purposes.

Schools and colleges should not shy away from reporting drug-related incidents for fear of tarnishing their reputation. Instead, they should conduct regular inspections and collaborate with authorities, he stated.

The DC advised postal services to report suspicious or recurring parcels immediately to the police.

Further, he directed the Forest Department officials to check if cannabis plants are being cultivated illegally in forest areas. He recommended creating a WhatsApp group to facilitate discussions on actionable steps for drug eradication and scheduling regular reviews.

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) was instructed to conduct awareness meetings for bus drivers and conductors. Posters highlighting the dangers of drugs, along with the helpline number ‘1933’, should be displayed in public buses to spread awareness.

Lastly, the DC called on all departments, including police, education, forest, and transport, to actively work together to combat the drug menace.

The meeting was attended by SP Yathish, DCP Siddharth Goyal, and officials from various departments. Local residents and institutions have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.