Mangaluru drug tests: 75% of re-tested students now negative, says Police Commissioner

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy has said that 38 of the 50 students who were re-tested after initially testing positive for drug use have now tested negative. This is more than 75% of the students who underwent the follow-up test, he said.

The results are part of a police initiative that began at the start of the academic year, when 8,310 students from 150 colleges in Mangaluru underwent drug tests. Of them, 98 tested positive and were sent for counselling with the involvement of their parents and college managements.

On September 10, a follow-up drive was conducted. Fifty of the 98 students who had initially tested positive took part in the re-test. Of these, 38 tested negative and told the police they had stopped consuming drugs. The remaining 12 continued to test positive.

“It is encouraging to see more than 75% of the students who initially tested positive testing negative now,” Mr. Reddy said in a statement. He advised parents and college managements to closely follow up on the counselling of the 12 students who continued to test positive.

The Commissioner said the Mangaluru city police, with the cooperation of parents, college managements and the public, had helped 75% of these students give up narcotic drugs. The initiative reflects a rehabilitative approach, focusing on counselling and family support rather than punitive action alone.

While the Commissioner described the outcome as a success, the numbers show that the 75% figure applies to the 50 students who were re-tested, not to all 98 students who initially tested positive. The statement did not specify the substances involved or the identities of the students.

Drug abuse among young people is a public health concern that affects families and communities. Programmes that combine testing, counselling and follow-up are often seen as important steps in helping students recover and stay away from drugs. The involvement of parents and educational institutions is considered crucial in such efforts.

The police have said they will continue to monitor the situation. The focus now is on ensuring that the 12 students who still test positive receive sustained counselling and support. The Commissioner’s advice to parents and colleges is to closely follow up on counselling.

The Mangaluru initiative is an example of local police working with families and colleges to address drug use among students. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance and support, as addressing drug abuse is a long-term effort.

The initial testing was conducted at the beginning of the academic year. The police have not said what prompted the drive, but such tests are typically part of efforts to create awareness about the dangers of drug use. The follow-up test was part of the effort to track the students’ progress.

The police said the students were sent for counselling with the involvement of their parents and college managements. The Commissioner also acknowledged the cooperation of the public in the effort.

The Commissioner described the follow-up results as encouraging. However, the 12 students who continue to test positive show that the problem is not fully resolved. He advised parents and colleges to closely follow up on their counselling.

The Mangaluru police have not announced any further testing plans. The Commissioner’s advice to parents and college managements is to closely follow up on counselling. The initiative involved cooperation from parents, college managements and the public, according to the police.