PORVORIM: Chief minister
Manohar Parrikar on Monday told the
House that he would personally monitor efforts to address two issues — the drug problem and road accidents — after MLAs cutting across party lines spoke about the menace in the state.
"Let us consider 2018 as the anti-drug and anti-accident year," he said in response to a 'calling attention' motion moved by
Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane requesting government to urgently tackle the 'drug problem'. Though Parrikar admitted to the drug problem, he said its impact "is not deep or not as big as it is made by some members".
"The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) needs to be expanded. The ANC is a small team with 30 personnel that was formed long ago," said Parrikar, who also holds the home portfolio. "We need to have at least 100 personnel," he said. "A special squad with more capability will be created."
Refuting claims of opposition MLAs, Parrikar said that 2017 saw more than two-and-a-half times the average number of drug cases being booked. "New types of drugs keep coming into the market," said Parrikar. "We will need specialized persons with knowledge of drugs to tackle the problem effectively, and we are working on it."
Parrikar said that one of the initiatives under consideration is an online forum on which people can share information on drugs. "Names of persons sharing deatils will be kept secret," he said.
Parrikar warned of a crackdown on whole night beach parties and rave parties. "A person can't dance the whole night without doping," he said. "A person who consumes alcohol at the most will be able to dance for an hour or two."
"The ANC has given me a two-page list containing the names of 70 joints where drugs are used," Parrikar said. "In some cases, drugs may also be sold. Such joints will be blacklisted. We are also working on a mechanism not to allow late night parties at joints where drugs are used. To contain the drug problem, rave parties have to be brought under control," Parrikar said.
The battle against drugs will also involve a counselling scheme for schools. The process to appoint more counsellors is underway. Parrikar said that counselling will help identify students indulging in drugs. The counselling will be extended to colleges, the CM said.
Parrikar also said he would set up a drug rehabilitation/detoxification centre. A detention centre for overstaying foreigners has been set-up in Mapusa and it will be made functional in January, he said.
Parrikar said these days, peddlers are using foreign tourists, who are addicts, to sell drugs, since a foreigner can easily approach another foreigner with drugs. "Police are gathering intelligence to apprehend the main dealers and peddlers," he said.
An anti-narcotics task force committee, with members of various law enforcement agencies, for better coordination and exchange of intelligence, is being drawn up to combat drug trafficking, the CM said in his reply.
He said Goa being a worldwide tourist destination, lakhs of domestic and international tourists visit the state every year, and they are major targets of drug dealers and peddlers.
He assured the House that his government is working on a "mission mode' to address the
drug issue.
