Bengaluru Anti-Drug Screening Drive: 31 Students Test Positive in Vijayanagar Educational Institutions

In a major anti-drug screening drive in Bengaluru, police authorities have reported that 31 students tested positive for drug consumption during inspections conducted across educational institutions in Bengaluru. The operation was carried out in the Vijayanagar area as part of the Karnataka State Police department’s newly launched anti-drug initiative called Sanmitra.

According to police officials, the initiative aims to address the growing concern of drug addiction among students and youth in Karnataka, while promoting a compassionate and corrective approach rather than a purely punitive one.

The drive was conducted as part of Karnataka State Police department’s newly introduced initiative called “Sanmitra” aimed to address the serious issue of drug addiction, which has been severely impacting the youth across the state, they said.

This initiative aims to adopt a transformative approach to find solutions and take compassionate steps towards building a drug-free society, police said.

According to police, as part of this directive, on March 4, under the leadership of DCP West Division Yatheesh N, inspections related to drug consumption were conducted within the limits of Vijayanagar Sub-Division police stations under Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate.

With the consent and no-objection certificates obtained from the management of six educational institutions and two hostels, inspections and checks were carried out.

“Urine samples were collected from more than 1,200 students, out of which 585 samples were randomly tested, and 31 samples were found to be positive,” police said in a statement.

The operation was conducted with the full cooperation of officers and staff of local police stations, along with doctors, technicians, and staff from nearby hospitals, police said.

Necessary arrangements will be made to provide counseling with mental health professionals and to ensure required medical support for those in need, they said.

The identity and family details of individuals tested will be kept strictly confidential, police assured.