- More than 3000 suicides every year.
Source: Jeevan Suicide Prevention Centre.
- 40,000 drug addicts.
Source: New Indian Express.
According to the New Indian Express December 11th 2002 article titled "Drug Trafficking High Along Chennai Coast," Chennai City has 40,000 drug addicts consuming 5kgs of heroin per month.
Most of the heroin coming to Chennai is intended for Sri Lanka's 1,00,000 drug addicts. The heroin is coming from illegal factories from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It is then transported to Chennai and smuggled by fisherman to Sri Lanka. The full article can be located in the December 11th New Indian Express edition.
- 52,000 HIV AIDS cases in Tamilnadu.
Source: UNAIDS/WHO estimates 2006.
- 41% were suffering from some recent disease during the time of enumeration.
- 35,000 lepers in 16 colonies around Chennai.
Source: YWAM National Leprosy Relief Work.
- 12,321 reported abortions performed in Chennai in 2006. Growing number in the 14-19 age bracket.
Source: Professors of Gynaecology and Obstretics at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.
- 40,533 Homeless in Chennai.
- 83% are illiterate.
- 72% are dalits and 8 % tribals.
- 69% Do not have Ration card.
- 99% Do not have Bank account.
- 55% Do not have access to a public toilet
Source: Action Aid Survey: 2003
- 75,000 street children of Chennai.
Source: NGO Forum for street and working children as reported in The Hindu.
According to a survey conducted by the NGO forum for street and working children in 1995 there are at least 75,000 street children aged between 5 and 19 years of age in Chennai. (Other unofficial estimates put this number double and even higher.) The following statistics were found. 54% of Chennai's street children are found in North Madras. 19% are found in Central Madras. 16% are found in Kodambakkam and 11 % in Anna Nagar. The addictive behaviour patterns of the children were found as 48% of the children are using Pan Masala, 36% smoking, 17% alcohol, and 18% drugs.
Source: The Hindu, July 21, 2002.
- 75,000 child beggars in Chennai.
Source: City Express
Conservative estimates by NGOs say that there are at least 75 000 child beggars in the city. The increasing numbers have gone unnoticed by the state government. Some NGOs are trying to reach them with non-formal education.
Source: City Express 31-May-2002 P.1
- 4799 Child labourers.
Source: The Hindu.
Chennai ranks fourth amongst all districts in the prevalence of child labor with 4.799 child labourers, according to a survey conducted by Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. A Chennai Corporation official cites that the very poor are unable to cope with the pressures of the city and are sending their children to work. Most are employed as auto mechanics, coolies at construction sites, eating establishments, and domestic workers. More than 16,000 children in the age group of 5-16 drop out of school every year. Another 6600 never enroll in schools. The need of the hour is transit and bridge schools to educate these children.
Source: The Hindu December 25th, 2003.
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