The Ullal police recently found a 28-year-old man allegedly trying to set on fire a portion of his house.
When he was apprehended, the police found out that he was under the influence of drugs.
This man’s younger brother also was found to be under the influence of drugs, the police said.
These two are among the 15 persons who are undergoing counselling and medication for addiction at the Tobacco Cessation Centre at the Yenepoya Dental College in Deralakatte that started functioning from January 1.
Talking to reporters following a meeting of the District Tobacco Control Cell, Maji Jose, Professor and Head of Department of Oral Pathology of Yenepoya Dental College, said the centre also deals with cases of substance abuse.
Apart from oral pathologists, doctors specialising in pulmonary medicine, psychologists and psychiatrists are involved.
Dr. Jose said the centre had been conducting awareness programmes at various schools and colleges about the harmful effects of tobacco and drug addiction.
During the meeting, District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao said as many as 1,251 cases have been booked so far and fines totalling Rs. 1.56 lakh have also been levied for smoking in public and other violations of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act since August, 2013.
In 274 cases, fines totalling Rs. 40,600 had been collected by the Dakshina Kannada police and in 977 cases fines totalling Rs. 1.16 lakh had been collected by the Mangaluru Police Comissionerate.
Dr. Rao said the cell had booked 14 cases and imposed fines of Rs. 2,330.
Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, who chaired the meeting, asked the Mangaluru City Corporation to take lead in booking cases of violation of the Act.
1,251 cases have been booked so far and fines totalling Rs. 1.56 lakh have been collected
