Mangaluru: Deputy commissioner Darshan HV directed officials to conduct continuous and intensified inspections of shops operating in the vicinity of schools and colleges to curb the sale of drugs and tobacco products.He presided over the District-Level Coordination Committee meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Tuesday. The DC stressed the need to frequently organise awareness programmes against drug abuse in schools and colleges. Referring to reports that some students are resorting to drug use due to exam-related stress, he said awareness programmes must be conducted for students in schools, pre-university and undergraduate colleges. Expressing dissatisfaction over negligence in organising such programmes in pre-university colleges, he took note of lapses by the deputy director of the pre-university education department. He also said that additional kits would be provided to the health department to increase drug testing. SP Arun K said that officials from all departments should regularly conduct drug-free awareness programmes among the public within their respective jurisdictions. He warned that action would be initiated against officers who show negligence. At the meeting, the Mangaluru City police officials informed that 62 drug consumers and 21 peddlers were arrested in Dec. Meanwhile, the DC directed officials of the tourism department to conduct frequent inspections of homestays and lodges. He also directed Coastal Security Police to carry out surprise checks on boats and asked KSRTC officials to keep a close watch on parcels transported in buses. He further directed that awareness against drug abuse be created in industrial units and that strict surveillance be maintained at railway stations and the airport. Officials of the Drug Control Department informed that show-cause notices were issued to four medical stores for failing to maintain proper records of medicine sales. The DC said that continuous operations and strict action are being taken to make Dakshina Kannada district drug-free and called upon all stakeholders to cooperate.
