Media Release

Kundapur, Jul 23: Drug abuse severely affects the future, health and family life of young people. The youth must develop the courage to say ‘no’ to harmful habits and join hands in building a drug-free society, said Abdul Rahim Hussain Sheikh, additional district and sessions judge of Kundapur and chairman of the Taluk Legal Services Committee.

He was speaking after inaugurating the drug addiction awareness programme–2026, organised jointly at the auditorium of Moodlakatte Institute of Technology by the Udupi District Police, Taluk Legal Services Authority, Kundapur, Kundapur Bar Association (Regd), prosecution department, Kundapur, Moodlakatte Institute of Technology and Kundapur Rural Police Station (Kandlur). The programme was inaugurated by watering a sapling.

Judge Abdul Rahim Hussain Sheikh said protecting the younger generation from drug addiction, which he described as a ‘silent killer’, was an urgent need of the hour. He urged students to stay away from drugs and work towards creating a healthy and responsible society.

Resource person and assistant public prosecutor of Kundapur, Udayakumar B A, explained the legal and social consequences of drug abuse. He said drug consumption, which often begins due to peer pressure or the desire for temporary pleasure, could eventually destroy an individual’s life. He explained the legal provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including imprisonment and criminal cases, and highlighted how such offences could severely affect students’ future education and employment opportunities. He advised students to remain aware of the consequences and never fall prey to addiction.

Kundapur Bar Association president J Srinath Rao said everyone should join hands with government departments in such socially significant initiatives and urged students to make the best use of the programme.

As part of a Karnataka government awareness campaign, special banners promoting the messages ‘Beda BRO’ and ‘RISE’ — Refuse, Inform, Support and Empower — were unveiled during the programme. Kundapur Circle police inspector Santosh Kaykini administered an oath to the students to work towards building a drug-free society.

Presiding over the programme, Dr S N Bhat, academic director of IMJ Institutions, said students should gain proper guidance and awareness from an early stage and take the lead in building a cultured and responsible society. Public prosecutor Indira Naik spoke about the responsibilities of today’s youth, while assistant public prosecutor of Kundapura Uma Damodara Naik explained the role of students in building a drug-free society.

College principal Dr Ramakrishna Hegde congratulated the organisers for conducting the important programme and assured that the students of the institution would join hands in the efforts to create a drug-free society.

Senior civil judge of Kundapura Kumar G and second additional civil judge and JMFC Syed Kashmir Simran were among the dignitaries present on the dais. Kundapur police sub-inspector Niranjan Gowda delivered the introductory remarks. A police head constable from Shankaranarayana police station welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks. Student Karuna Gowda and faculty member Sukshma Adiga compered the programme.