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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman