The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka issued a public appeal on Friday, 26 June 2026, urging citizens and students across the state to join efforts to build a drug-free Karnataka by raising awareness, supporting those affected by substance abuse, and reporting illegal drug activities through a dedicated helpline.

Context

The post, shared in both English and Kannada, called on the public to abandon substance use — ಮಾದಕ ವಸ್ತು ಸೇವನೆ ಇಂದೇ ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿ ('give up substance use today') — and flagged the growing menace of illegal liquor consumption, sale, and drug use in society. The CMO stated that public cooperation is 'essential' to curb these activities. The message was tagged with #CMCares, #DrugFreeKarnataka, and #SayNoToDrugs.

Citizens and students with information on illegal activities were directed to call helpline number 080-22863230. The post assured that all complaints and information received would be kept strictly confidential.

Policy Backdrop

Karnataka's appeal aligns with the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a national drug demand-reduction campaign launched in August 2020 that operates through state governments to drive awareness, establish reporting mechanisms, and expand rehabilitation outreach. The campaign has been a cornerstone of India's coordinated response to substance abuse under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Indian states have increasingly combined helplines, school-level outreach programmes, and confidentiality guarantees to lower the barrier for citizens — particularly students — to report drug-related crimes. Karnataka's move follows this well-established pattern of state-level mobilisation under a central framework.

Stakeholders and Impact

The appeal specifically addresses two groups: the general public and students, reflecting concern that substance abuse is penetrating educational environments. By guaranteeing confidentiality of complaints, the government aims to overcome the fear of reprisal that often prevents citizens from reporting such crimes.

The initiative places civic responsibility at the centre of the anti-drug effort, positioning every individual — not just law enforcement — as an active participant in safeguarding communities. The helpline serves as a direct channel between citizens and the state's enforcement machinery.

What's Next

The Karnataka government's renewed public push raises expectations of follow-through in the state legislature, where discussions on expanding de-addiction infrastructure and integrating drug awareness into school curricula could feature in the next session. The effectiveness of the helpline model will depend on sustained outreach and visible action on complaints received. How the state scales this initiative beyond a social media appeal into measurable policy outcomes will be closely watched by public health advocates and civil society groups.