City unites against drug abuse: Awareness programme held at Town Hall
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, July 15, 2025: In a powerful show of unity and resolve, the Mangalore City Police, in collaboration with the NSS Unit of Nitte Institute of Architecture, the Rotaract Club of Nitte (Deemed to be University) and the Rotary Club of Mangalore, organised an impactful awareness programme on drug abuse prevention and an orientation session for college anti-drug committees at the Town Hall on the morning of July 14, 2025.
The event brought together close to 800 students, parents and teachers from institutions across the city, signifying a growing commitment from the community to combat the menace of drug abuse.
Dignitaries in Attendance
Gracing the dais were several key officials and leaders including:
* Shri Darshan H.V., Hon’ble District Commissioner of Mangalore
* Shri Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Commissioner of Police
* Dr. Arun K., Superintendent of Police
* Two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs)
* Two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs)
* Heads of academic institutions
* Members of NCORD (Narcotics Control Coordination Committee)
The gathering was warmly welcomed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ms. Geeta Kulkarni, who emphasised the importance of public vigilance and educational outreach.
Setting the tone for the event was a thought-provoking skit performed by students of Roshni Nilaya, which shed light on the psychological and social toll of drug addiction.
The master of ceremonies, Ms. Akshatha Shenoy, Principal of Amrita Vidyalayam, skillfully led the day’s proceedings, introducing speakers and maintaining the event’s engaging momentum.
The audience heard impactful addresses from:
* District Commissioner Shri Darshan H.V., who called for collaborative governance and community partnerships to root out the drug trade.
* Commissioner of Police Shri Sudheer Kumar Reddy, who reaffirmed the city police’s mission to transform Mangalore into a drug-free zone, urging students and educators to act as vigilant allies.
* Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K., who highlighted strategies being adopted at the grassroots level.
* Prof. Dr. Shrinivasa Bhat, Professor and Head of Psychiatry at KS Hegde Medical Academy, who spoke about the psychological impact of substance abuse and the importance of early intervention.
* Mr. Guruprasad, Founder-Director of Born Again Recovery Centre (BARC), who shared real-life stories of recovery and hope.
* Prof. Vinod Aranha, Director of Nitte Institute of Architecture and President of Rotary Club of Mangalore (2025–26), who stressed the role of civil society and institutions in nurturing a safe, informed youth population.
Attendees were each handed a thoughtfully curated goody bag, containing water, snacks and an informative pamphlet featuring a QR code that allows citizens to report drug peddling anonymously and confidentially. The pamphlet also features an appeal by Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy to students, parents, and educators to join hands with law enforcement in building a drug-free Mangalore, reiterating that only through cooperation and vigilance can the city safeguard its future generations.
The programme concluded on a solemn and hopeful note with the singing of the National Anthem, marking not just the end of the event, but the beginning of a renewed city-wide mission: to educate, empower and eradicate drug abuse from our midst.