The recent data from the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has shockingly revealed the rampant grounds of drug circulation in Tamil Nadu, posing a risk on whether the state is becoming a hotspot for such illegal markets. The alarming rise in the cases had sparked a challenge to the state government in stemming the circulation of the drug. According to the NCRB data, Tamil Nadu has stood third in the country in terms of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 

While Uttar Pradesh has topped the table with more cases in the country, Punjab has ranked second, ahead of Tamil Nadu. As per the data available with the Tamil Nadu Police, the law enforcement agency has ramped up the surveillance and vehicle checks to barricade the movements of drugs. The police had conducted inspections of warehouses across the state between July 23 and August 29 this year. Following the raids, the police department has registered 172 cases and arrested 203 people.

This mass arrest was made after ascertaining that the accused had possessed gutka products that are banned in Tamil Nadu. Dozens of vehicles and over 10,000 kilograms of Gutka were seized and there were several reports that said the East Coast Road has been becoming a hub for the circulation of drugs. More shockingly, these toxic products have garnered the attention of the young generation, particularly the students who were enthralled by the drug without realizing its menace. 

While Tamil Nadu has become the third Indian state to register more cases against drugs last year, Gujarat has topped the list of the number of cases registered for violating liquor and narcotic drugs. Gujarat has registered a total of 2,43,135 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,74,032 cases, Madhya Pradesh with 94,298 cases, and Uttar Pradesh with 90,216 cases. 

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu has ranked third in the list of cases registered with regard to the possession of drugs for personal use and consumption. According to NCRB data, possession of drugs for personal use and consumption is higher in Uttar Pradesh with 4,963 cases in 2020, followed by Kerala with 4,582 cases, and Tamil Nadu with 4,151 cases. Recently, the Tamil Nadu police had conducted a programme 'Drive Against Drugs' in several places across the state. 

These programmes were led by assistant commissioners and had created awareness among students, to rescue them from drug addiction. Earlier last year, Tamil Nadu was shocked to witness how the Covid-19 lockdown was misused by dealers to smuggle narcotics. The Ramanathapuram police had on May 2020 arrested nine people from Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts for trafficking a range of narcotic and psychotropic drugs act and Rs 5 crore was seized from the accused.