Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SR)

Panaji, Jul 23: The city Corporation and local police, on Saturday found 40 packets of cannabis meant for sale, while on a crackdown of migrant street dwellers encroaching on the Parade Ground at Campal. As per police, a growing number of teens get into the habit of smoking ganja due to peer pressure. Police said, first one youth gets hooked on to ganja and then he offers it to his friends and slowly everyone in the group gets addicted.

As reported in TOI, a police officer told the publication that ganja is easily available and teens are attracted to it. Most of the drugs make their way to Goa by train and are sourced from Mumbai, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and the border districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Chief executive officer (CEO) of Human Touch Foundation Peter F Borges told TOI that over the years alcohol consumption was considered to be a favourite among youth, but it has been overtaken by ganja. “My experience says that most youth who are attracted to ganja are those who have lost their parents, or are working abroad or have family issues. They have a wrong notion that by taking drugs they can become trendy and popular,” said Peter.

Peter's foundation engages youth to address drug abuse in the state. Peter said he has written a letter to chief minister Pramod Sawant to highlight the administration’s response toward drug abuse, which, as per him is pathetic. In the letter, he mentioned that awareness of illegal drugs, access to them and their abuse have dramatically increased. Despite significant gaps in information, there has been an increase in the abuse of major dependence-producing drugs in the state.

“It is time for a state drug policy. The subject needs an integrated effort with the involvement of all stakeholders, a well-articulated approach based on evidence and commitment of resources,” Peter said.