Mangaluru: DK Administration ramps up ‘drug-free campus’ drive across educational institutions

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 25, 2025: In an effort to keep educational institutions in Mangaluru free from drug abuse, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has intensified the implementation of the ‘Drug-Free Campus’ initiative.

The district administration had earlier directed all schools and colleges to establish Anti-Drugs Cells to monitor and prevent drug use and trafficking among students. However, officials have noted that only a few institutions have followed these orders, allowing the possibility of drug-related activities to continue unnoticed in many campuses.

Following a recent high-level meeting chaired by District In-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, involving police and education department officials, instructions were issued to strengthen coordination with medical, engineering, and other higher education institutions to curb the spread of drugs on campuses.

Although the Anti-Drugs Cells were mandated earlier, several institutions have either failed to form them or treat them as mere formalities. In some places, complaints received by these cells were not reported to the authorities, the district administration observed.

Dakshina Kannada Pre-University Department Deputy Director Rajeshwari told Udayavani that all educational institutions have already been directed to maintain vigilance. Every school must form an Anti-Drugs Cell and monitor students accordingly. Institutions will soon be asked to submit compliance details, she said.

What schools and colleges must do:

Teachers must alert the administration or police if they suspect any student of drug consumption or peddling.

A nodal officer must be appointed in each institution to act as the point of contact for reporting suspected drug activity.

All institutions must provide counselling facilities for students found using tobacco or drugs.

Institutions that remain silent about known drug activities on their campuses will face action from the administration. Hiding such cases to protect the school’s image will not be tolerated.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that certain institutions have been identified as high-risk zones where drug use is more widespread. He directed the district administration to hold a special meeting with all educational institutions to develop strategies for control and prevention.