Sanmitra init iat ive helps 112 abusers renounce habit, rebuild lives
Mysuru: In a marked shift from conventional enforcement to rehabilitation, Mysuru District Police have brought 112 identified drug addicts under the State Police Department’s flagship Sanmitra initiative, pairing each of them with a Police officer who acts as a counsellor, mentor and guide.
The programme comes at a time when drug abuse cases are witnessing an increase across Karnataka, including Mysuru city and district.
Recognising the growing challenge, the State Police launched Sanmitra with the twin objectives of helping addicts overcome substance dependence and facilitating their reintegration into society.
Under the initiative, each addict is assigned a dedicated Police officer who regularly interacts with them, monitors their progress and counsels them against returning to drug use. The officers also maintain contact with family members to assess behavioural changes and provide support wherever required.
Path to recovery
According to the Police, 112 addicts in Mysuru district have been enrolled under the programme so far. Officers are keeping a close watch on their activities and following up regularly to ensure they remain on the path to recovery.
At the same time, Police have intensified efforts to curb supply of narcotics. Over the past six months, District Police have seized substantial quantities of drugs, including ganja, synthetic drugs, mephedrone & MDMA, while registering 112 cases related to drug abuse and trafficking.
Police believe that reducing demand through rehabilitation is as important as cracking down on supply networks. By helping addicts recover, authorities hope to weaken the market for illegal drugs and prevent more people from falling into addiction.
One officer, one addict
A key feature of the initiative is the one-to-one mentorship model. Each addict is assigned an officer who periodically visits the individual and their family, gathers feedback from parents & relatives and offers counselling aimed at encouraging a drug-free lifestyle.
The programme has already been implemented in cities and districts, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Bidar and Shivamogga, where it has received encouraging public response.
‘Drug-Free Karnataka’ App
To strengthen community participation, the Karnataka Police have integrated a ‘Drug-Free Karnataka’ feature into the KSP mobile application.
The platform enables citizens to report cases of drug abuse or trafficking by sharing details and location information. Once submitted, the information is automatically forwarded to the jurisdictional Police Station for verification and necessary action.
Citizens can access the feature by downloading the KSP app, registering with their mobile number and selecting the ‘Drug-Free Karnataka’ option on the homepage.
Police have assured that the identity of informants will remain confidential and have appealed to the public to cooperate in efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking across the State.
‘Daily monitoring to curb drug abuse’
Under the Sanmitra initiative, 112 former drug addicts in Mysuru district have been assigned mentors to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Police officers are closely monitoring them daily to ensure they do not relapse into drug use. So far, no complaints or reports have been received through the Drug-Free Karnataka platform, indicating a positive response to the initiative. In the next phase, the Police Department plans to conduct awareness programmes in schools and colleges to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse and prevent substance consumption among youth.
—Mallikarjun Baladandi, Superintendent of Police, Mysuru District
This post was published on June 11, 2026 7:30 pm