TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Goa Police on Wednesday organized programmes in various parts of the State to sensitize students on the ill-effects of narcotic drugs as part of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
PONDA: The Ponda unit of Goa Police on Wednesday organized an awareness rally in the city.
About 250 students from Almeida HS, Dada Vaidya HS (Curti), Government HS (Sadar-Ponda) and S S Samiti HS (Dhavli) participated in the rally which was flagged off from the city at about 11 am. The rally, after moving through the city, culminated at Kranti-Maidan, opposite Ponda Police station.
Ponda DySP Dinraj Govenkar and Ponda PI C L Patil urged students to stay away from drugs and other illicit substances.
“You must stay away from drugs and other bad habits like eating tobacco or smoking cigarettes. These substances affect your health and your studies. You must refuse if anyone offers you to try such illicit substances,” advised PI Patil.
“Teachers also play a vital role in spreading awareness on such issues. I request people if they came across any locations where drugs are being sold or consumed to please inform it to the police control room (100) or the police station. The identity of the informer will be kept secret,” urged PI Patil.
DySP Govenkar informed that Goa Police through various means are spreading awareness against drug use and urged the public to support the campaign to stop use of drugs.
CALANGUTE: Calangute Police along with Calangute Panchayat and schools on Wednesday also organised a rally.
DySP North N C Raikar, Calangute PI Nilesh Rane, PI (Traffic) Rahul Parab, Calangute sarpanch Geeta Parab, deputy sarpanch Savio Gonsalves, panchas including Joseph Sequeira, ex-sarpanchas of Calangute, hotels and students from Calangute schools participated.
The students marched through the streets of Calangute shouting slogans and creating awareness among villagers against the use of drugs and alcohol. Later, they and others were guided on the ill-effects of drugs by DySP Raikar, Adv Michael Nazareth, Dr Sayyed and Dr Pole.
Sarpanch Parab and Deputy Sarpanch Gonsalves also spoke on the occasion. DySP Raikar urged students not to fall prey to drugs and avoid alcohol at all times. Adv Nazareth explained the pros and cons of the NDPS Act dealing exclusively with drugs and advised students not to possess drugs which could lead either to arrest or punishment.
CANACONA: Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Wednesday advised parents to devote fruitful time to their children, to build a healthy and productive-oriented society.
Tawadkar was addressing a function organised by Canacona Police to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and its Trafficking at Shri Gaitonde Mini Sports Complex, Chaudi.
Earlier, policemen led by Canacona PI Harischandra Madkaikar joined students in a rally from Char-Rasta to Chaudi town, before converging at a function at Gaitonde Mini Sports Complex.
Students of Shri Mallikarjun College (Delem), Government Higher Secondary (Mastimoll), St Thereza of Jesus (Chaudi), Katiyani Baneshwari (Kindlem) and Shri Mallikarjun Vidyalaya (Char-Rasta) participated in the rally.
DySP Quepem Mahesh Gaonkar also spoke on the occasion, while Canacona PI Madkaikar welcomed, introduced and compered the function.
COLLEM: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was also observed at Collem Police station.
Collem PI Jivba G Dalvi spoke on ill effects of drugs at Abhinav Vidhya Mandir (Mollem), while PSI S B Lokre spoke on the subject at Our lady of Piety High School (Collem), followed by interactions with students.
The students were made aware of narcotic drugs and their ill-effects on health and society. They were asked to stay away from drugs. Students were also briefed to resist peer pressure and to say ‘no’ to drugs.
Girl students were asked to be cautious while accepting drinks at parties, etc. Students were also briefed that in the event of any such information, they should report such matters to their school principal or the police.
School teachers were also requested to keep eye on vendors or hawkers, if any, around the school premises selling narcotic drugs. They were also requested to pass on such information to the police for further action.
