Hyderabad: Telangana Steps Up Efforts to Tackle Drug Menace
The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) has started training programmes for police and excise officials across the state. These efforts aim to combat drug abuse and improve conviction rates in Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases.
Currently, the conviction rate for NDPS cases is low. Cases booked by the Prohibition and Excise Department have a conviction rate of around 4%, while cases registered by the police have an 11% conviction rate. According to TGANB Director Sandeep Shandilya, the bureau has identified the reasons behind these low rates. To address this, training on investigation techniques for drug-related cases has been introduced.
Regular training sessions are now being conducted for investigating officers, police, excise officials, and Court Duty Police Officers (CDPOs). Trainee constables at institutions such as PTC Amberpet, PTC Medchal, and RBVRR TGPA are also being trained in the latest investigation procedures. So far, TGANB has trained 21,246 personnel from across Telangana.
In addition to improving investigations, TGANB is working to raise awareness about drug abuse. Prahari Clubs have been set up in all high schools, and Anti-Drug Committees (ADCs) have been formed in educational institutions ranging from intermediate schools to professional colleges. These initiatives aim to steer students away from drug use.
As part of its awareness efforts, the bureau is hosting a mega awareness programme at Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource and Development Institute (Dr. MCRHRDI) until November 29. Participants include representatives from private schools, universities, professional colleges, IT companies, and organizations like NCC and NSS.
The training focuses on topics such as drug abuse among youth, strategies for prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation, with support from the state government. Director Sandeep Shandilya highlighted that the main goal of these efforts is to educate students, teachers, professionals, and the general public about the dangers of drug use.
So far, TGANB has conducted 148 awareness programmes, reaching 57,129 students. Additionally, the law and order police have organized 590 awareness sessions, benefiting 68,120 students. These combined efforts aim to create a well-informed society and reduce drug-related issues in Telangana.
