Karnataka to be drug-free by 2028 – Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar

Bengaluru, June 30 (Karnataka News):
Today we have pledged to make the state of Karnataka a drug addiction free Karnataka by 2028. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that all citizens should join hands to free the society from drug addiction.
Speaking at the inauguration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – 2026 program organized by the Karnataka State Police Department at the Kanteerava Stadium today with children, the Chief Minister said that the government has set up an anti-drug task force to prevent the growing menace of drugs.
In the last three years, the police department has made a great effort and narcotics worth Rs 80 crore have been seized and destroyed. The government congratulates the officers and staff of the police department who participated in this work and all those who helped, he said.
Youth should stay away from drug use, if anyone forces them to get addicted to alcohol, today’s youth should inform their parents or the police department without giving in to any pressure. If information about such people is found around schools and colleges, the police should be informed immediately, and the name of the informer will not be revealed. If any child gets addicted to this habit, parents should not hide it, saying that it will lose their respect. If this habit is hidden, the future of the children will be ruined. In this regard, they should take the help of the police and prevent them from becoming alcoholics.
An addiction-free Karnataka is not just a government slogan, it is the resolve of every Kannadigas. The youth should lead an ideal life. They should walk towards progress to shape the future of their families. He said that strict action will be taken against those who mix intoxicants.
He said that a strong and continuous operation has already been launched against the illegal drug networks in the state. Strict legal action has been taken to identify and eliminate the networks involved in the illegal drug trade. A special search and detection operation has been conducted to monitor the foreign nationals involved in the illegal drug trade and illegally residing in the state despite the expiry of their visas, as a result of which 20 cases have been detected.
A total of Rs 216.93 crores was seized in 2025. Cases were registered against 9064 accused. Cases were registered against 2611 sellers, 6455 consumers and 41 manufacturers. A total of Rs 184.72 crores was seized from January to the end of May 2026. Cases were registered against 6651 accused. Cases were registered against 1406 sellers, 5090 consumers and 17 manufacturers.
Minister for Home, Information Technology and Biotechnology and e-Governance, Priyank Kharge said that drug addiction destroys the potential of the youth, the economy and the society, and it is necessary to create awareness about this. As part of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is being celebrated today, the government has launched two important programs, “Operation RISE” and “Beda Bro”, the Chief Minister said that through these programs, the government aims to confront the problem of drugs with the participation of all government departments.
The RISE initiative is based on the principles of denial, information, support, and empowerment. The “Beda Bro” campaign is an awareness program designed to prevent drug abuse through education and community participation by actively engaging young people, he said.
Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad presided over the program. Legislative Council members Govindaraju, State Director General of Police M.A. Salim, Additional Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Kataria, Bangalore City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, ADGP R. Hitendra, Adarsh ​​Group CEO B.M. Jayashankar and other dignitaries were present.