EDM, endless stretches of beach and drugs makes for a very satisfying holiday. That is a
template followed by several popular tourist spots around the world. Goa too
has a heady mix of the three factors that has made it popular in the country
and in certain parts of the world. However, authorities in the state have
repeatedly preferred to ignore the realities of the drug trade in the state.
The CM Pramod Sawant recently made
statements to the effect that drugs were not available on the open market. More
importantly there were no drug factories in the state. Despite these
statements, it should be remembered the state has a anti-narcotics cell which
constantly does seizures. It should also be remembered the CM had said the
trade in Goa did not have local participation. Given a spate of these remarks
and the recent figures of drug arrests how do people the tourist belt and
stakeholders in the tourism business view this.
Anand Chatterjee, General Manager, Planet
Hollywood Beach Resort said “I have kept hearing and reading about the drug
trade in the local media which covers it in great detail. The problem is that
Goa has got famous for all the wrong things and that is way it has been
projected. Films show you can drink wherever you want which we know is not the
case. You can go on the beach and do drugs if you wish according to these
movies. I have personally not seen them, so I suppose the CM is speaking based
on his access to information we don’t have access to. I believe Goa is a party
destination and nothing bad or illegal should happen”.
Another GM who did not want to come on
record for the story said “Drugs are easily available on the coastal belt. Did
they not bust a drug factory in Siolim, I believe it should not go on.
Politicians love making such statements but the reality on the ground is so
much more different. His statement on Goans not being part of the drug trade is
such hogwash. How can a trade of such magnitude operate without local
participation”?
Savio Messias, President TTAG was very candid when he said
“Drugs are easily available all over the state. That’s one of the reasons why
we get so many of those looking for that kind of fix coming to goa. It also
explains why there are so many people from Africa, mainly Nigeria in the state.
They all come in having enrolled in fake universities and then get into the
trade. With regards drug factories, I cannot comment since I have no
information on that count.”
However, when asked if he felt Goans were not part of the drug
trade, he smiled and said the trade is controlled by Europeans, Nigerians and
Indians but the locals were also part of the trade. With regards a drug squad,
he said every state had to have it whether they believed they had a drug trade
or not. He felt the authorities felt it was better to have a squad and receive
criticism rather than not have one and be abused for it.
Lyndon Alves much travelled hospitality professional said the
drug menace had unfortunately crept into the party and nightlife circles
worldwide and it would be impossible to correct unless backed by dedicated and
honest force who are paid enough so as to not be bought over by the other side.
He said “ Countries like Canada, Portugal, Holland etc had legalised drugs
which is very debatable and should be carefully measured and see if that is the
way forward.
Most of the drugs he said came from South India and Manali. He
said sadly all modern destinations associated with fun and music were tainted
by drugs. With regards to Goans not being part of the trade, he said if that
was the case then it would be easier cause they would all be foreigners
involved who would stand out and not locals who would be tougher to track.
All one has to do is travel through the north coastal belt,
without standing out and mingle with the crowd at clubs, party places and small
bars. Keep your eyes, ears and your sense of smell “open”. Many of the claims
made by the Chief Minister will be nullified.
Drugs
is an elephant in the room. You know it. It’s a pity that the ‘officialdom”
doesn’t see it.
