Sixfold Rise in Students Peddling Drugs in Karnataka

Karnataka has observed a significant increase in student involvement in drug-related offenses, with arrests for supplying and peddling narcotics skyrocketing by 533% between 2024 and 2026. As of 2026, 228 students have been arrested for these offenses, a substantial rise from 36 in 2024. Concurrently, student arrests for drug consumption have decreased. Bengaluru is at the epicenter of this trend, contributing 177 of the statewide arrests for supply and peddling.

The state government has initiated campaigns like 'Operation RISE' and 'Beda Bro' to combat this issue, reaching over 5.8 million students through extensive awareness programs since 2024. Enforcement efforts are being bolstered with an ADGP overseeing the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), and proposals are under consideration to grant the ANTF enhanced investigative powers. These measures include forming Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) committees, establishing zero-narcotics zones around educational institutions, and systematically uploading offender details to national databases.

Experts note that organized networks are luring teenagers into drug peddling with promises of quick money, often facilitated through social media. The exposure to drugs commonly begins between ages 14 and 17, with cannabis being prevalent. Clinical psychologists emphasize the vulnerability of developing brains to peer and social media influences, urging parents to monitor behavioral changes and engage in open, non-judgmental conversations with their children. Universities are also strengthening their roles by forming anti-drug squads and integrating wellness programs.