Mangaluru: Udupi district prison has been officially declared a “tobacco-free prison” following sustained de-addiction efforts led by prison authorities in coordination with the district health administration.The initiative forms part of a broader prison reform mission by the Karnataka Prisons Department under the ‘Karagruha Sudharana Sankalpa Abhiyana’, aimed at addressing substance abuse among inmates and promoting long-term behavioural change.Prison superintendent Vijaya Kumar D. Chavan told TOI that the tobacco-free status was achieved after meeting the criteria through surveys and coordinations of the District Health and Family Welfare Department and District Hospital, Udupi.As part of the programme, de-addiction camps are conducted every 15 days, with district counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and medical staff regularly visiting the prison. Inmates identified with addiction are provided counselling, medication, and continuous monitoring.“Many inmates with substance dependency initially struggle to quit and may experience withdrawal symptoms, but through counselling, medication and consistent engagement by prison staff and health officials, we are working towards behavioural change and recovery,” Chavan said.A drug addiction detection camp held on July 14 found all 145 inmates tested negative, he said.The prison currently has around 135 inmates.According to Chavan, on average, four to five new inmates are admitted daily, of whom two to three are found to have some form of addiction, he noted that most of them are below 30 years of age.While some cases are linked to NDPS offences, others involve individuals with prior substance use history, he said.Chavan said that inmates requiring intensive treatment are referred to Mangaluru, while those undergoing recovery are monitored through weekly visits by doctors. In cases where addiction persists, counselling is conducted even on a daily basis by staff.Officials said that follow-up mechanisms are in place to ensure inmates remain substance-free even after release.A display board declaring the facility a “Tobacco-Free Prison” was installed on the premises on Thursday.District Surveillance Officer Nagarathna Shastri, who inaugurated the board, commended the cleanliness and internal management of the prison and lauded the initiative.District consultant Manjula Shetty, social worker Mahesh Deshabhandari, psychologist Dinesh and others were present.
