Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada SP Arun K has directed that action be taken to revoke the licences of shops and commercial establishments found selling cigarettes, tobacco, and other smoking and intoxicating substances near schools and colleges in the district.He spoke at the district-level Narcotics Coordination Centre Committee meeting held at the DC’s office on Saturday. The SP emphasised that the education department should obtain reports from all school development and monitoring committees (SDMCs) to ensure no smoking or intoxicating activities occur in school environments.Awareness programmes against intoxicating substances should be conducted regularly in schools and colleges. Officials from various departments should conduct drug-free awareness programmes for the public in their respective areas. Inspections should be conducted periodically in homestays and lodges. Coastal security police should conduct unexpected inspections of boats. Surveillance should be maintained over parcels in KSRTC buses, the SP instructed.Awareness against intoxicating substances should also be raised in industrial units in the district. Surveillance should be maintained at railway stations and airports, he suggested.DHO Thimmaiah HR said that a separate counselling centre has been operating at the Wenlock District Hospital in the city to help children addicted to drugs and other substances. Parents can take their children there, he said.DCP (law and order) Mithun HN, ACF Mangaluru sub-division Shashikanth S Vibhute and others were present.
