Ignorance is
bliss but what do you do when
the problem comes knocking on your doorstep? The drug menace is slowly clawing
its way from the coastal belt and the tourist hubs of Goa to your child’s
schools and colleges and yet the Chief Minister states that drugs are not
available in the open market. With the recent drug chase that led to the arrest
of an alleged kingpin of the drug network in North Goa’s coastal belt, the
question that arises is why Goa is in denial about its vices? Many Goans are
working together to address the problem and root it out from the lives of
youngsters; this cannot be accomplished unless the drug nexus is accepted and
broken in Goa.
A few prominent
Goans share their views on the drug menace and its reach:
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Drug is a drug and
definitely a menace, not only socially but also personally to the addict.
Authorities like the police as well as ministers and MLAs are well aware of the
sale and consumption of drugs in Goa but they choose to be silent/ in denial
for various reasons. The consumers used to only be foreign nationals once upon
a time and later locals… today, drugs are a common substance found in our local
schools and colleges. Acceptance of a problem is the first step to its
solution. But those in denial of the drugs menace are accomplices to the crime.
ROSHAN MATHIAS, Social
activist
We cannot deny the
fact the drugs are freely available and are a major problem in Goa and that’s
the reason through our Rise Nation Army Foundation we have been conducting drug
awareness workshops in colleges and schools across Goa. We are focusing on
empowering and showing the youth that there are more natural ways of
experiencing a high like music, sports etc, and giving them the strength to say
no to drugs. Unfortunately, more kids are getting exposed to drugs because of
the free availability of drugs in Goa.
DR VARUN CARVALHO, Founder,
Rise Nation Army Foundation
The Chief Minister
has made such a statement that it is not happening in Goa. By giving such
statements, he is not doing justice to the public. Drug abuse is on record high.
I assisted the Mayor during the raid opposite Campal Ground, Panjim and besides
drugs, nearly Rs 75 lakhs in cash was found hidden in the water pipes where the
Lamanis were living. The consumers are the Goan youth and the drug peddlers are
enticing these little children to try out drugs. There are places in Margao
where flats are used by college students to smoke, take drugs and drink
alcohol.
MICHAEL
FERNS, Founder, Dadleancho
Ekvott
Those who are interested in drugs know how to get it. Earlier,
it was considered that the coastal belt is not our problem but now even
Bicholim and Valpoi have a few cases. The problem is if students are caught and
booked, their entire lives are ruined. But the peddlers play safe and are not
caught. It is important to break the nexus of the peddlers and supply chain
should be disrupted. Teachers play an important role and divert the energy of
the students into sports, cultures and other extracurricular activities.
DR SHEKHAR SALKAR, Senior Oncology Surgeon
