The Karnataka government, under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, unveiled two key anti-drug campaigns – ‘Operation RISE’ and ‘Beda Bro’. These initiatives aim to intensify the state’s fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The government’s goal is to eliminate drugs by combining strict enforcement, public awareness, and rehabilitation efforts.
Urban areas in Karnataka are particularly susceptible to drug abuse due to factors like a large student population, working youth, nightlife economy, foreign resident clusters, and digital networks. The state’s drug issue is driven by both demand and supply elements. Demand stems from peer pressure, stress, recreation, and experimentation among the youth, while the supply network is fueled by organised crime groups, interstate trafficking routes, international networks, and digital platforms.
To address the growing narcotics threat, the government has bolstered the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) to focus on prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation. ‘Operation RISE’ will be a coordinated enforcement program, complemented by the ‘Beda Bro’ campaign, which targets youth through public awareness initiatives to discourage substance abuse. The campaign aims to educate young people about the consequences of drug abuse and promote healthy lifestyles through sports, education, and skill development activities.
As part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Karnataka Police will destroy 4,276.405 kg of seized narcotic substances valued at around Rs 97.90 crore. The government also shared enforcement data, revealing significant seizures of narcotics in recent years. The government is committed to a comprehensive approach involving various stakeholders to combat drug abuse and eradicate drugs from society.
