The ‘QR code’ introduced by Udupi police to share information on sale and consumption of drugs is getting a good response from people. Udupi police are contemplating giving more visibility to the QR code by having the image pasted at prominent places in the city in coastal Karnataka.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar told The Hindu that the QR code was launched in June, which was also when the Mangaluru city and Dakshina Kannada district police jointly released the QR code for getting information about drug peddling and consumption.

This QR code is available with all 167 educational institutions in Udupi district, which have anti-drug committees. The QR Code was useful as police received about 50 inputs, of which action was taken in 15 instances that were found genuine.

“Though we (police) have our own network of informants, the QR code has helped police get information that enabled us to effectively act against drug peddling and consumption,” Mr. Shankar said.

The information helped police provide counselling support to needy drug addicts. The presence of the QR code has also acted as a deterrent to drug peddlers.

The police will shortly paste the image of the QR code at prominent spots, residential flats, hostels and schools in Udupi town, he said.

In the last 20 days, the Udupi district police have booked a total of 23 cases against 28 persons for drug peddling, consumption. As many as 14 cases against 16 persons were booked by Manipal police, while four persons were booked in three cases registered by Udupi City Police. Two persons were booked in two cases registered by Kundapura police. A total of six persons were booked in Hebri, Kaup, Karkala Rural and Padubidri police stations.