The Hindu : Karnataka News : CJP concerned over rampant abuse of drugs

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Karnataka

Karnataka

CJP concerned over rampant abuse of drugs

Special Correspondent

‘Government is promoting intoxicants in the garb of tourism'

‘Increase in number of young widows an example of alcohol abuse'
‘De-addiction centres must have highly motivated and qualified staff'

PANAJI: On the eve of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 25, the church-affiliated Council for Justice and Peace (CJP) has voiced concern over the rampant abuse of drugs in Goan society.

Fr. Maverick Fernandes, executive secretary, CJP said on Saturday, “It is a matter of shame that government supported agencies instead of promoting healthy lifestyle are involved in promoting the consumption of alcohol thereby setting a wrong example to the younger generation.”

The church body said the government should impose measures to curb the sale of alcohol and enforce the law to bring to book those who in an intoxicated state endanger the lives of citizens and disturb the peace in society.

He said unfortunately, Goa had been in the news for being a haven for drugs resulting in drug related deaths of tourists and the exposure of the police nexus in the drug trade.

But while the abuse of drugs continued along the coastal belt and was now making steady progress inland, the CJP was equally concerned with the aggressive promotion and easy availability of alcohol, said Fr. Fernandes.

While the government had been enacting various laws for the welfare of the woman and the child, the failure to impose sufficient curbs on drug trade and on the consumption of alcohol in particular had been the cause of trauma for several homes in Goa's villages, he said.

“It is unfortunate that taking the cover of tourism, the Government has been promoting intoxicants,” said the CJP office-bearer. He attributed the rising number of road accidents, drowning in sea

and anti-social activity to alcohol and drug abuse, and said that this menace was not only earning a bad name for the State but also making life for the ordinary citizen difficult and insecure.

The CJP said rising number of alcohol abusers among Goa's labour force had been a cause of concern for the employers. The increase in number of young widows in several taluks of Goa was another example of alcohol abuse.

Fr. Fernandes has urged the people in Goa to take a serious look at the culture of alcohol and drugs that is engulfing the State rapidly.

On the issue of de-addiction and rehabilitation of the alcoholics and drug abusers, the church body said that de-addiction centres in the State must be well equipped and manned with highly motivated and adequately qualified staff.

Dedicated help-lines and after-care centres need to be set up for giving guidance and therapeutic support to persons in distress due to drug and alcohol related problems

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