The narcotics trade is not as innocuous as it seems. Neither is it underground. Tourists are not the only consumers and peddlers are moving towards new areas to create new clientele. The variety of drugs available in the state is mind-boggling and territories are
marked by various operators “ local and foreign. No group has a monopoly but each has a share, large enough to bring in the moolah. The drug trade is not as simple as it seems, so said Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar in the Assembly. The matter was brought up by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, who said there were at least eight to nine spots in the port city where drugs were freely available. Some of this spots are close to educational institutions.
While the chief minister gave an assurance that the
drug menace near educational institutions would be stamped
out, not many share this optimism. Question 1: If drugs are
freely available in eight or nine spots in Vasco, why has the
police not done anything? Question
2: If the MLA is aware of the spots,
why did he not file an official complaint
with the police? Question 3:
Will the government identify the
spots and shut down the trade with
immediate effect?
Because Goa is a tourism destination
and the unofficial entertainment
capital of the country, the demand for narcotics is high,
making it a lucrative market. This demand has given rise to
several gangs run by Russians, Israelis, Nigerians and locals.
The murder of a Nigerian in Parra in 2013 was allegedly
linked to drug deal. Some years back a few pharmacies along
the beach belt were shut down for selling prescription drugs
which reportedly gave users a high. While Punjab might be the
country’s narcotic haven, Goa is not far behind. The increased
seizure of liquid LSD by police over the last three years also
points to the change in the trade.
Like any other trade, narcotics gangs also look to increase
sales and the only way to do this is by increasing consumption.
Peddlers have infiltrated cities and are gravitating towards
schools and colleges to create new users in order to keep the
trade alive. Increase in tourist footfalls helps. The number of
persons, mostly of foreign origin, who have fallen victim to an
over-dose is alarming, but the government does not seem to
be too concerned. Even though the police are doing their bit,
the fight against narcotics lacks conviction and many believe
that a police-politician-drug dealer nexus is the reason why
the trade continues to grow in the State.
The government must adopt a firm policy to disrupt the trade
so that students are shielded from this dangerous and lethal
addiction.
