Ponda’s traditional cultural image is slowly diminishing with the youth, considered to be the nation’s pillars, heading towards a “drug-alcohol” culture.
Ponda taluka, which is famous for its temples and cultural activities, is slowly turning into a haven for drug peddlers, as drugs, which were earlier restricted to the beaches including Morjim, are now easily available near the educational institutions and even in the rural areas.
Besides being addicted to drugs, the youth too are taking up to alcohol consumption. Several cases of drug consumption have been reported in the taluka with police raiding several spots and arresting the accused found in possession of drugs.
Drug peddlers have been targeting school or college students by selling drugs near these educational institutions.
Recently, two GEC students were arrested for possessing drugs. It may be recalled that a joint team of Crime Branch and Anti Narcotics Cell of Goa Police had arrested two Goa Engineering College students – Vishant Gawas (21), a resident of Thane-Sattari, and Arun Rathore (18), resident of Zuarinagar for being in possession of marijuana (ganja). The two were roommates and were residents of the college hostel.
During the raid, Gawas was found in illegal possession of 303 gms of the substance and Rathore had 18 gms of substance on him.
The substance, suspected to be marijuana, was approximately worth Rs 32,000 in the international market and the quantity seized was ‘small’ and not commercial in nature as per NDPS Act, it was informed.
A year ago, Wadi-Talaulim locals had taken out a morcha to the Ponda Police Station demanding action against peddlers for supplying drugs to minor students. The morcha was taken following a fatal accident involving a youth speeding on his bike and colliding against another biker.
Locals suspected that the youth was under the influence of drugs when the fatal accident took place and had demanded police patrolling during the night. The locals had given the details of the spots where drug peddling was taking place.
Following the Talaulim incident, a major car accident was reported at Borim and the locals too suspected that it was due to drug consumption by a local and demanded that police patrol the area.
When contacted, Ponda DySP Sunita Sawant said, “We conduct raids from time-to-time. When we receive information on drug peddling, we immediately conduct the raid and arrest the peddlers involved in the trade and seize the drugs.”
“Ganja is cheap and easily available in states such as Punjab and is also grown in different parts of the country. It is easily accessible due to its demand. In Goa, It is consumed by migrant labourers working in industries and engaged in various activities in Goa. Besides, some local youth are also targeted by some drug peddlers,” she added.
“I call upon the parents to keep a constant watch on their children so as to keep them away from drugs. I always appeal the students against drug consumption. Once you consume drugs, you get addicted to it and it is very difficult to get rid it. So students should never try even to consume drugs, which can make them drug addicts. When a person is addicted to drugs, he/she even commits heinous crimes to get money to buy the same,” she added.
Sawant called upon the people to provide the information on drug peddlers in their vicinity if any. The police in turn will keep the informer’s name a secret. She informed about three raids being conducted at three places two days ago wherein in the accused were arrested and expressed hope that police would try to expose those involved in drug peddling.
Besides drugs, alcohol consumption too is on the rise in the taluka.
Umesh Naik, a resident of Kavlem said, “Many death cases have been reported due to liver cirrhosis. Several liquor shops have cropped up in the taluka, which need to be controlled by government.
