Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 Source: Navhind Times, The (India) Copyright: 2006sNavhind Papers & Publications Ltd Contact: http://www.navhindtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3430 GOA IS A TRANSIT POINT FOR DRUGS: DYSP D'SA Panaji: "Goa is a transit point for all the drug peddlers and from here drugs like charas, hashish and ganja are being pushed and ecstasy, LSD and cocaine come here from western countries," said the anti-narcotics cell chief, and the deputy superintendent of police, Mr Allan D'Sa. Mr D'Sa informed the gathering about the drugs entering into Goa from areas like Rajasthan and Kulu Manali in the northern belt besides Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal and added that drug peddlers come mostly by train from Delhi and drugs are delivered directly to the coastal belt. He said, "There is an urgent need to bridge the police-public gap to get information about drug use, abuse and peddling it would be a tough proposition for the ANC to curb the menace unless it gets the co-operation of the people," He was speaking as the guest speaker at an interactive session organised by the Indian Red Cross Society on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking at its premises in the city this evening. He added that the public should be sensitised about the use and abuse of the drug along with the prevailing punishment under NDPS Act. He said this northern belt acts as a transit point for drug peddlers and usually hashish, charas go out but in comes ecstasy, LSD and cocaine mostly from western countries. "He said that the anti-narcotics cell needs information and members of the public should provide us with information and the missing gap between police-public should be bridged," he stated. Dr Anil Rane, a practicing psychiatrist highlighted the audience with his experiences and personal encounter with drug dependants not only in India but in United Kingdom. He said that drug consumers become addict when the person feels his survival is threatened without the use of drugs. Dr Rane said there are many factors like psychological, social and genetic which governs the drug users' mind and this could be overcome only through change in attitude, change in habits, providing a replacement, switching over to sports, music, besides monitoring after detoxifying them. Mr Soter Fernandes said the drug menace has become a societal disease in Goa and attributed this to the politicians who had kept the state away from the cultural main stream. A concerned resident from Pernem blamed the tourism policy of the government for turning a Nelson's eye to what the foreign visitors are doing for the sake of tourism. A teacher from Don Bosco High school said parents should be sensitised to the problem of their wards and this was the only way to control the drug use. The honorary secretary of IRCS and former UNI chief, Mr Jagdish Wagh informed the audience about when and how the drugs invaded coastal belt of Goa. Dr Kelekar, Dr Shushrut Martins and Mr Damodar B Bhonsule also spoke. The vice-chairman of IRCS, Mr Gaurish Dhond, Mr Gangaram Moraskar member were also present among other dignitories. The member of the IRCS managing committee, Mr Damodar Bhonsule, displayed an excellent old collection of his various books on drug abuse and alcohol anonymous. The exhibition will remain open for public view. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman