AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
ANJUNA: The confessions of the accused arrested with 562 kilogram of A grade cocaine and forty kilograms of hydroponic Marijuana in New Delhi is an indicator of dope going to where loud Electronic Dance Music (EDM) parties are held and that such night spots could well be nurseries for drug peddlers.
“It is known that settings for sale of drugs, are normally done near party areas. Loud music induces people to drugs or drinks. It is in such settings that the voice of the peddler gets drowned by the music
and business flourishes,” explains Police Inspector Daniel of the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing.
Inspector Daniel does know a thing or two about these things . he has pursued and investigated those linked to drugs in Goa who the Hyderabad police has bene pursuing
If the link between drug dealers and a party is difficult to draw, reports of partygoers showing symptoms of drug overdose can be deduced from the statement of Dr Fenton D’Souza who runs an ambulance service.
Most clubs or party spots hire the services of Dr D’Souza’s ambulances and it is his belief, from experiences reported by the ambulance crew, “that drugs and loud music go hand in hand” and hence the need of intervention by the High Court.
“There are two or three cases of drug overdose in every party held in the north and the cases are due to the consumption of adulterated drugs. Most cases are of throw up convulsions. They are signs of victims consuming adulterated drugs,” confesses Dr D’Souza.
“Once impure stuff is bought, the high is different and to attain a high, the victim will keep consuming and ends up overdosed. Some survive, others do not,” admits Dr D’souza.
Thought cases of drug overdoses or deaths related to drugs are rarely reported because of the stigma attached to the family of the deceased, former Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) head in western region Sanjay Singh (IPS) does not swallow the thought that people visit places where loud music is played for a meal.
Singh however, reasoned that drugs are not taken at all late night parties. “It cannot be said that drugs are taken at all places where late night parties are held. Drugs are taken by people at places where loud music is played but there is no proof of direct hand of drug peddlers with places where such parties take place,” reflects Singh.
But Advocate Gauresh Malik underlines a basic reality. “They definitely do not go to places where loud music is played for food. This is clear. People go for loud music and they obviously enjoy that music with either drugs, drinks or both,” reflects advocate Gauresh Malik who represents one of the petitioners.
Loud music is a menace in Anjuna and Vagator and with the intervention of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court -that is hearing various petitions related to noise pollution- victims of loud music played by errant units have found some solace.
“There were cases of drug overdose reported from the start of Sunburn and there are videos to prove it. Around the same time last year, there were rumours that ‘Colombian Dust’ was the dope for December. Things are obvious in our belt and no one really cares because it’s a game where all are involved and the whistle blower has to face the brunt,” believes Desmond D’Souza from Vagator, who has burnt his fingers on number of occasions.
“The drug haul in Delhi and the confessions are good eye openers for people who come to our village to party and enjoy. That drug is the source of loud music in our area has been evident for many years. The police, the elected representative and even the chief minister have kept fooling us with false promises all this time. Why,” subtly asks Janie Crasto from Vagator.
“If there are no drugs, there will be no problem related to noise pollution. The math’s is so simple,” believes septuagenarian Ivan D’Souza from Vagator.