Let’s face it. Whether we like it or not,
Goa has been synonymous with ‘drug abuse’ for quite some time now. What is
interesting is that while your average Goan may not know anything about the
availability of banned prescription drugs in the state, the tourists who come
seeking such substances, come with the knowledge of where to go and who to
contact to score ‘stuff’. It has also been noted that, in Goa, colleges and EDM
parties have been the most prominently visible target areas of drug peddlers.
Viresh Vazirani, an engineering student who works closely with music concerts and events in his spare time, says, “I feel that the party organisers in Goa are doing their best to check abuse of drugs, considering the amount of checking that takes place at the entryway. In fact, I’ve never heard of drug sales being done inside the venue of the EDM festivals that I’ve been to. If attendees consume drugs outside and attend the festival, I don’t think we can blame the festival organisers. If someone overdoses on drugs, the risk to his life is equal, irrespective of the venue, whether he goes raving at a festival or sits at home. If we are vigilant, drug peddlers won’t find any space in Goa to carry out their activities.”
Another issue making the rounds is the legalisation of Marijuana. There is a school of thought that believes that Marijuana has far more positive and medicinal qualities than the demerits responsible for the ban on its sale and consumption in the country. It may also be interesting to note that the first-ever conference in India for the legalisation of Marijuana was recently held in Bengaluru. Viki Vaurora, a 23-year-old musician and recording engineer who is spearheading the movement in India experienced the effects of marijuana while studying music production in London and says it helped him overcome depression. Vaurora said, “Countries like Israel and Netherlands have been researching the medicinal value of the plant for years. It has proven to help people with cancer, diabetes, leukaemia and bipolar disorder. To top it, cannabis is easily available in nature and easily accessible.” A student of Government Engineering College, Goa, on condition of anonymity, says, “The cannabis flower not only has medical properties but its stem too can be used to make hemp fibre which can be used in the making of clothes, ropes and even hemp plastic. I don’t think the government has the right to tell people what they can consume and what they can’t, especially when they allow companies to openly sell tobacco and alcohol which have been proven to be harmful to an individual. Marijuana on the other hand doesn’t have adverse effects and isn’t addictive either.”
The problem lies with the fact that most kids cannot talk to their parents freely about issues like sexual orientation, drugs, etc. And it’s a proven thing that if you ask someone not to do a certain thing, the person will try his / her best to do it. If parents are able to have free conversations with their children, we won’t have as many drug addicts around.
Pranay Purohit, Panjim
There’s a reason why Marijuana has been banned in India. Although ‘weed’ has medicinal qualities, it has negative effects too. It affects the decision taking capabilities of the human nervous system. Songs like ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, apart from bringing a bad name to Goa, glamourise consumption of drugs. This should be stopped.
Ashwini Raikar, Valpoi