Udupi: Deputy commissioner Swaroopa TK has appealed to the public to use a newly developed QR code to report the transportation, sale and consumption of narcotic substances in the district. Chairing the district-level coordination committee meeting of the National Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) at the deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday, the DC said the QR code has been developed by police department to facilitate easy reporting of drug-related activities.She assured that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential. She called upon everyone to cooperate in making Udupi a drug-free district. The DC directed urban and rural local bodies, educational institutions, industrial establishments and the labour department to publicise the QR code at prominent public places, including bus stands, industrial areas, labour associations and cinema halls.Medical stores were directed not to sell habit-forming medicines without a valid doctor’s prescription, and to prominently display notice boards informing customers of the rule. The district drug control officer was asked to carry out regular inspections of pharmacies.The labour department and officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board were directed to inspect chemical factories and other industrial units to ensure they are not involved in the manufacture of illicit drugs.The DC also instructed all schools and colleges to constitute active anti-drug committees and organise awareness programmes on the 25th of every month. Hostel authorities were asked to closely monitor students and subject those suspected of drug abuse to medical examination. She also directed officials to monitor courier and parcel services to prevent drug trafficking, keep a close watch on migrant workers arriving from other states, and instructed the Coastal Security Police to inspect boats regularly.SP Hariram Shankar, assistant commissioner Rashmi, additional SP Sudhakar Nayak, city municipal commissioner Mahanthesh Hangargi, and others were present.Declare GPs and wards tobacco-freeThe DC has urged officials to work with the public to declare gram panchayats and wards across the district as tobacco-free zones. Chairing the meeting on the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), under the District Tobacco Control Programme, she stressed the need to reduce tobacco consumption through greater public participation.The DC noted that several gram panchayats, villages and apartment complexes in the district have already been officially declared tobacco-free. She called for greater awareness campaigns to encourage more panchayats and wards to adopt tobacco-free status. Officials informed the meeting that more than 33 surprise inspections had been conducted across the district. Over 245 cases were registered under Sections 4, 6(a) and 6(b) of COTPA, resulting in the collection of Rs 70,000 in fines. At the district hospital alone, 31 violations of the COTPA Act were detected, and Rs 3,300 was collected as penalty.
