Bengaluru, 30 June

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the government is working to make the State drug-free by 2028.

Speaking after inaugurating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme organised by the Karnataka State Police Department, he said that the government has decided to reward members of the public and parents who provide confidential information about drug consumption and trafficking.

"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.”

He added that the identities of children will stay confidential.

Citing a World Health Organisation report, he said nearly 13 to 14 lakh people die every year in India due to tobacco consumption, and doubled down on his threats against adulterated pan masala, saying that it was being delivered to homes through phone-based delivery networks.

He added that over the past three years, the government had destroyed Rs 89 crore worth of drugs.

The government also launched two initiatives.  Operation RISE (Refuse, Inform, Support, Empower), which aims to combat drug abuse through coordinated action by Police, Revenue, Transport, Health, Higher Education and other departments.  The Beda Bro (No Bro) campaign targets young people with relatable messages highlighting the consequences of drug abuse.