Bengaluru | Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said his government aims to make the state drug-free by 2028 and urged the public, especially the youth and students, to join hands in eliminating the menace.
He was speaking after inaugurating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme organised by the Karnataka state police department.
"Our goal is to make Karnataka free of drugs and substance abuse by 2028. We have taken a pledge to achieve this. If the public, youth and students join hands with the government, we can eliminate this menace," Shivakumar said.
"Our message is: Quit addiction, choose happiness. We must shape our own ideals. The pledge we have taken today should remain with us throughout our lives," he said.
"We should spread awareness about this issue in our surroundings. Many people may try to pressure us into bad habits, but students and young people should not give in," he added.
"You must maintain control over your mind and body and never lose your mental balance," he told the gathering, comprising mostly students.
Noting that drugs worth Rs 89 crore had been destroyed over the past three years, the CM congratulated senior police officers, constables and other police personnel for their efforts to dismantle drug networks.
He appealed to parents not to hide their children's addiction problems out of fear of social stigma.
"Do not conceal such issues because of concerns about your family's reputation," he said.
"The more you hide your child's addiction, the more you endanger their future. Instead, counsel them and work with the police to identify the source of the drugs. This will help protect your children from these criminal networks," the CM said.
"I have instructed the police department to ensure that the identities of such children remain confidential," he added.
Shivakumar said the police department had alerted the government to the alleged mixing of narcotic substances with pan masala and gutka products.
"We have received information that drugs are being delivered directly to homes through phone-based delivery networks. Strict action will be taken against anyone found adulterating pan masala or gutka with narcotic substances," he said.
Citing a World Health Organisation report, he said nearly 13 to 14 lakh people die every year in India due to tobacco consumption.
"The world looks up to our country's culture, languages and diversity. This should not become the image associated with us," he said.
The government has decided to reward members of the public and parents who provide confidential information about drug consumption and trafficking, Shivakumar said, adding that the initiative would help dismantle drug supply networks.
"Drug-Free Karnataka is not merely a government slogan—it is the resolve of every Kannadiga. We are all born as human beings. To die without achievement is an insult to death itself, and to live without ideals is an insult to life," he said.
"We must all move forward with purpose and values. We have pledged to remove the scourge of drugs from society. I congratulate all the students who have taken the anti-drug pledge, as well as their parents and educational institutions," he added.
Pointing out that the student policing system had already been introduced in schools and colleges, the CM said a task force had earlier been constituted under the leadership of the home minister.
He urged the public to work alongside the police to prevent drug abuse and other illegal activities, saying it should become a "collective responsibility."
The Government of Karnataka launched two major initiatives on the occasion—Operation RISE and the "Beda Bro" (Say No, Bro) campaign—to address the menace of narcotics through a holistic, whole-of-government approach.
Operation RISE (R: Refuse, I: Inform, S: Support and E: Empower) is a focused initiative to combat narcotics peddling and substance abuse through a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
It encourages people, especially youth, to refuse drugs and adopt healthy lifestyles.
It also focuses on creating awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse through public campaigns, educational programmes and community outreach, while promoting access to counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals affected by addiction.
Families, educational institutions and local communities are encouraged to play an active role in drug prevention and early intervention.
Operation RISE adopts a multi-stakeholder approach by bringing together departments such as Police, Revenue, Transport, Higher Education, Medical Education, Health and the Drugs Controller, a press release said.
The Beda Bro campaign is a targeted awareness initiative aimed at engaging young people and preventing substance abuse through education and community participation, the release said.
Using simple, relatable and youth-friendly messaging, the campaign raises awareness about the physical, mental, social and legal consequences of drug abuse while encouraging informed decision-making and resistance to peer pressure, it added.
Speaking at the event, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the government has adopted and is strictly enforcing a zero-tolerance policy to eradicate the drug network in the state.
The government's fight against drugs is not confined to police action alone but is being transformed into a broad-based people's movement with the participation of all sections of society, he added.
