Our goal is to build a drug-free Karnataka, Karnataka is the country’s medical capital

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Bengaluru : Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today issued a stern warning that the state government would ban sale of pan masala and gutka if they contain any banned intoxicating substances.

Speaking at the 31st Foundation Day celebration of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and ‘Drug-Free India Conclave’ held at Kanteerava Stadium, the CM said, “It has come to my attention that intoxicating substances are being mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other such products before being sold, engineered to give a drug-like ‘high.’ If this is indeed true and is not stopped immediately, the sale of all types of pan masala, gutka and chewing tobacco products will be banned in Karnataka,” he warned.

Drug menace needs border-level action
The CM used a “tap and bucket” analogy to underline that local enforcement alone not be enough to stop drug menace. He noted that while Karnataka established a dedicated Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) in 2025 to hunt down trafficking networks, such efforts cannot succeed if national borders remain compromised.”

“The drug menace in the country is like a tap and a bucket. As long as the tap at the border stays open, no matter what you do locally, the bucket fills up repeatedly,” he said emphasizing that a drug-free Bharat is impossible without impenetrable border security.

Our goal is to build a drug-free Karnataka
“Building a drug-free Karnataka is our goal. We are organizing programmes for this purpose. I welcome the fact that all of you have come together today to hold this Drug-Free India gathering. You are all ambassadors of this cause. Preventing drug addiction is a major challenge, and let us all unite to ensure that the younger generation does not fall into the trap of this addiction. This is everyone’s duty. You have chosen a profession of saving lives, and I congratulate you for it,” he said.

A blunt warning to medical students: one conviction can end a career
The Chief Minister also delivered a blunt reality check to the medical and paramedical students of RGUHS, which he proudly described as the country’s largest health sciences university. He warned that a single drug conviction under the NDPS Act would instantly end a medical career before it even begins.

“A drug conviction under the NDPS Act can mean arrest, a permanent criminal record, and the end of a medical or professional career before it begins. No license, no registration, no practice,” he said, reminding students that a dream built over a decade can collapse in a single moment of recklessness.

Urging the youth to handle the crisis with an iron fist, Shivakumar called on the students to master the power of the “first refusal” when facing peer pressure, advising them to decide their answer before the moment arrives. “Drugs take you to hell, disguised as heaven. Be careful of momentary joy,” he said. Reminding them of the immense family sacrifices behind every hard-won medical seat, he concluded with a powerful appeal for campus vigilance: “Enjoy it. Be high on life, not on drugs.”

Thanks to Veerappa Moily, who established Rajiv Gandhi University
“The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences is the largest health university in the country and has produced the highest number of doctors. Our state has 70 medical colleges—no other state in the country has this many medical colleges. I offer my thanks to Veerappa Moily, who established this Rajiv Gandhi University,” he said.

Karnataka is the country’s medical capital
“Medical education should be accessible to everyone. The climate of Bengaluru does not exist in any other part of the country. That is why it is called an air-conditioned city. No other state has as many hospitals as Karnataka. Karnataka has also become the medical capital of the country. This university will be relocated to a new campus in the Bengaluru South district,” he stated.