Governor RN Ravi Speaks on Drug Awareness and Kallakurichi Tragedy in Tamil Nadu

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 26: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed his gratitude to those raising awareness against drugs. He revealed that the National Investigations Agency (NIA) discovered international drug cartels operating in Tamil Nadu and Karachi, sourcing heroin from Afghanistan.

Governor Ravi shared his sorrow over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, where the death toll has risen to 58. He was speaking at the launch of the National Awareness campaign on ‘Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ in Chennai, held on the eve of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Governor Ravi stated, “Tomorrow is International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. We are doing this event on the eve of it. This event today is unlike any other day because we are observing this day in the dark shadow of a large number of loss of human lives. Our people have died more than 60 in Kallakurichi due to poisonous alcohol that they took.”

He emphasized the severe impact of drugs, saying, “When the drug comes, it is not that it only destroys the individual health, mental health, emotional health, but with this, it also creates a lot of social problems.”

Governor Ravi also mentioned the tragic statistics: 32 people died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 20 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College in Salem, four at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital, and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry. A total of 223 patients were admitted to four hospitals after consuming illicit liquor.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is observed on June 26 every year to promote action and cooperation for a world free of drug abuse.