Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Wednesday vowed to make Karnataka drug-free, saying, “We will not allow Karnataka to become the next Punjab in terms of drugs. The public should not allow it either. Everyone should come together to build a drug-free Karnataka.”
Addressing the Narcotics Control Bureau’s ‘Narcotics-Free India, Narcotics-Free Karnataka, Narcotics-Free Campus and Organ Donation’ campaign organized by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in association with Dishabodh Foundation on Wednesday, the government is serious about making the state drug-free. “The higher education minister will be tasked to take the necessary steps to curb this at government level,” he added.
Appreciating the university’s efforts, the home minister said that to build a drug-free state, university campuses must be drug-free. “The RGUHS campaign is important and the state government will fully support it,” said Dr. Parameshwara.
Furthermore, Dr. Parameshwara directed the University to direct all affiliated colleges under it to form anti-drug committees. “There are more than 1,500 colleges under RGUHS and if any college fails to form an anti-drug committee, action should be taken to cancel their membership,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Home Secretary has revealed that there will soon be advertisements and awareness about drugs and narcotics on government-run buses.
Health and Social Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who attended the event, said that the government is seriously considering increasing the number of organ donation centers in government hospitals.
Dr. Bhagawan BC, RGUHS Vice Chancellor asked the government to set up organ procurement centers in all government medical teaching hospitals and strengthen the centers already established.
Published – 11 Feb 2026 21:33 IST