PANJIM: Despite instances indicating drug abuse among school and college students, educational institutes have virtually shied away from conceding that such cases exist.
A disappointing response to letters sent by Goa Police urging school authorities to report drug activity near their premise, if any, has raised questions whether the menace is happening without the knowledge of the school authorities or whether schools are keeping mum on the issue.
About a year ago over 800 schools were requested to report on the sale of narcotics near their premises. During the past 11 months, barely half-a-dozen schools responded claiming ‘no such activities present near our institute’ while the remaining didn’t reply.
Herald is in receipt of a police communiqué that states, “There are some unverified reports that the narcotics drugs are being allegedly sold near educational institutes at few places in the State. The police are collecting intelligence in this regard and are keeping watch near the educational institutes. Nevertheless, it is advisable to sensitize your students on the issue of drug abuse.”
The letter, to principals/headmasters further states, “If you have noticed any such drug related activities like consuming, peddling or if you have any such information related to drugs being sold by any person near your institute, the same may be passed on to the nearest Police Station in charge or on the toll free number 100. The caller’s identity will be protected. Your kind co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated.”
When Herald contacted Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh, he stressed that sharing of information is necessary for the drive against crime including drug menace.
“The law mandates citizens to share information about crime. That is the reason why police control rooms are set up, beat systems put into operation. Unless people inform the police about occurrence of crime or activities or movement of suspicious people, drive against crime would not be effective,” he said.
Singh added, “The Police has its system of developing criminal intelligence but that too is predicated upon the cooperation of people. Patrolling and surveillance has its role in crime prevention but vigilant civil society is of paramount importance for effective crime prevention.”
The response from schools is similar to what the Police Department received from schools on road safety and cyber safety education to schools, which had prompted Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander to say, “They (schools) feel that other education is important but not the road safety awareness. People will send their children for music and dance classes during the summer break…. for them, teaching road discipline is unimportant.”
A senior officer stated that school participation is by and large limited to attending anti-drugs rallies every year. “If there are any talks held on drug awareness, the attendance of students is not satisfactory,” he added.
The recently released draft report on the mental health for children and adolescent had stated that ‘although there is awareness about harmful effects of drug use in schools, students continue to consume drugs. The researchers had also found that schools tend to be in denial on formulating stringent policies to prevent drug abuse.
During the Assembly session in February, Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes had tabled a question on the drug menace in schools. He along with Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar had even alleged that the illicit activity had infiltrated schools.
