When Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro and his Benaulim counterpart Churchill Alemao gave calls to the people of Navelim and Varca to join hands in the war against drugs, what did they actually mean?
Both MLAs expressed concern over the drugs menace at the Telaulim-Varca bridge over river Sal asking the Margao and Colva police to help villagers clamp down on drug use at the Telaulim-Varca bridge. One could literally see through the appeals of the legislators that they were playing to the galleries.
The fact of the matter is that the war against drugs doesn't begin with the people and it doesn't only happen at bridges like these. It was brought to light that youth have been taking advantage of the darkness at the Telaulim-Varca bridge to consume drugs. There are countless spots like these that could be possibly safe hideouts for drug users and keeping a vigil over such bridges and spots like these is not going to change much. There have been instances of drug seizures almost every week in different parts of the State. All that has happened is the accused is arrested and the drug seized. Apart from this, there has been all empty talk and not a single legislator has taken initiatives to take this menace head on. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has conveyed his zero tolerance to drug use and said he will come down heavily on drug peddlers. However, four years later, the 2013 House Committee report on police-drug mafia nexus is still gathering dust.
Legislators, including ministers should be practical to the drug scene in Goa. Plugging sale of drugs at the bridge or some isolated locations will not help root out drugs. Cleansing the state of drugs will require a concerted effort from all - legislators, police and the citizens and it has to begin with our MLAs.
It is pertinent to point out once again that the drug cartel cannot operate on its own without the covert support of those in power and the police. An occasional raid and seizure doesn't mean that the crackdown against drugs is yielding results. On the contrary it's a clear indicator that drugs are being circulated, giving the administration enough material to chew on.
Luizinho and Churchill must understand that saving the younger generation from drugs is not solely in the hands of the people of Goa. Intensifying night patrolling are piecemeal measures. The true fight lies in the resolve of all the 40 MLAs of Goa, including Luizinho and Churchill. The battle against drugs should start from them. If there is a failure in tracking down the source from where the drugs are being pumped into the system, then it's the failure of our legislators first. If there is a will to fight drugs in Goa, then our MLAs should stand up first and lead from the front, not from the back. Telling people to help in the fight against drugs means nothing.
