Tamil Nadu DGP Shankar Jiwal Highlights Low Drug Prevalence in the State
Chennai, Tamil Nadu – The Director General of Police (DGP) of Tamil Nadu, Shankar Jiwal, has dismissed claims of widespread drug use in the state. According to a scientific study by the Union government on the ‘Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India’, Tamil Nadu has one of the lowest incidences of drug abuse in the country.
Jiwal stated that Tamil Nadu ranks 35th in the use of ganja, with only 0.1% prevalence, significantly lower than the national average of 1.2%. Similarly, the state ranks 35th in opioid use, with a prevalence of 0.26%, compared to the national average of 1.08%.
In August 2024, authorities detected 641 drug-related cases, seizing 1965 kg of ganja, 10,634 tablets, and 35.500 kg of other drugs. The state maintains a ‘Zero Cultivation’ status for ganja, with strict actions against offenders. In 2022, 645 offenders were detained under the Goondas Act, followed by 504 in 2023, and 533 up to August 2024. Additionally, 1,507 vehicles in 2022, 1,404 in 2023, and 1,003 till August 2024 were seized for transporting narcotics.
The Tamil Nadu Police and government are actively working to reduce drug trafficking and illegal sales through enforcement and awareness programs. Efforts include financial investigations, monitoring previous offenders, and conducting State Level Narco Coordination (NCORD) committee meetings.
Doubts Revealed
DGP -: DGP stands for Director General of Police. It is the highest-ranking police officer in a state in India, responsible for overseeing the police force and maintaining law and order.
Shankar Jiwal -: Shankar Jiwal is the current Director General of Police (DGP) of Tamil Nadu, a state in India. He is responsible for leading the police force in the state.
Union government study -: A Union government study is a research or survey conducted by the central government of India. It collects data and provides information on various issues, like drug use, across the country.
Ganja -: Ganja is another name for marijuana or cannabis. It is a plant that some people use as a drug, and it is illegal in many places, including India.
Opioid -: Opioids are a type of drug that includes strong painkillers like morphine and heroin. They can be very addictive and are often misused, leading to health problems.
Zero Cultivation -: Zero Cultivation means that there is no legal or illegal growing of certain plants, like ganja, in a particular area. It is a policy to prevent the production of drugs.
NCORD meetings -: NCORD stands for National Coordination Committee on Drug Abuse Prevention. These meetings involve discussions and planning to prevent drug abuse and trafficking in India.
