With the aim of creating awareness about the harmful use of drugs, and in order to work
towards a Drug-free Goa, Human Touch Foundation, Narcotics Control Bureau, Goa
Zone along with Fr Agnel College, Pilarheld flashmobs across the state to mark
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2018.
At the inaugural flashmob in Panjim, Fr Fredrick, Principal of
Fr Angel College, congratulated Human Touch NCB and the young people who came
forward to create awareness about substance abuse. He said that these types of
programmes are cost-effective and essential for building resilience and
empowering young people to be more aware about their health.
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Speaking on the occasion, Jeetendra Ranjan, Superintendent,
Narcotics Control Bureau, Goa Zone said that NCB has been working towards
supply reduction as well as demand reduction in Goa.
“Effective prevention includes the promotion of health as well
as social well-being with more focus on young people,”said Peter F Borges,
Founder and CEO of Human Touch, a youth led organisation that engages youth to
address HIV and substance abuse in Goa. He further said that we must seize this
day as a unique opportunity to fully engage the government, civil society and
the community in actions for effective prevention.
What set the flash mobs apart were their ability to grab
everyone’s attention and usethat moment not only to entertain with their
choreographed dance moves but also send out informative messages through
placards and other forms of communication.
Peter, who has been an active member in this space and has done
extensive work with many NGOs in the countryas well as the Goa State Commission
for Protection of Child Rights, Goa State AIDS Control Society among others,
urged others to join in these activities. “The drug problem in Goa is an
extremely serious issue. The problem that was earlier confined to the coastal
belt is now eating into the very vials of Goan society and is doing much more
damage than even alcohol. There is clear evidence and writing on the wall that
drugs have reached the heartland. Fighting drug abuse in the state should be a
shared responsibility of all. No amount of denial or ignorance is going to help
find any solution to the problem unless there is any will to fight against it.
The problem is very much real and everyone has a role to play,” said Peter.
It is to be noted that the youth-driven organisation is one of
the rare organisations that has an affiliation with the United Nation (UNAIDS)
and their info-entertainment approach was well appreciated and recognised,
earning them the MTV Staying Alive Award.
“Our mission is to educate and inform the youth on social
issues, inspire them to take action, encourage their participation, identify
and build sustainable partnerships aimed at youth development and provide young
people with tools and resources for effective action,” said a member of Human
Touch Goa while talking about their groups overall goals.
The
registered, youth-led, non-profit organisation, which has its headquarters in
Agassaim, aim to guide the youth to become responsible, self-sufficient and
participatory citizens through projects that augment health, education, human
rights and livelihoods.
