Church attacks government over Goa's drug problem

Expressing ‘deep concern' over the rampant drug trade in the state, the Goa church Saturday said steps taken by the state government had failed to curb the menace. Drug abuse, so far restricted to the coastal, tourist-oriented fringe of Goa, was now slowly moving towards the hinterland amidst inaction by the police, said the Council for Social Justice and Peace, an arm of the Roman Catholic Church. The statement was released on the eve of today's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. "The CSJP voices its deep concern over the rampant abuse of drugs in Goan society. The abuse of drugs continues along the coastal belt and is now making steady progress inland," Father Maverick Fernandes, executive secretary of CSJP, said. "The CSJP is equally concerned with the aggressive promotion and easy availability of alcohol being encouraged by the government which is adversely impacting Goan homes and industry." "The Goa government had been promoting intoxicants and, in the process, promoting an unhealthy culture not only among tourists who visit the state but also among the local population," Fernandes added, attacking the Congress-led coalition. "Abuse of alcohol and drugs, besides affecting the performance of the individuals in the productive age group, has also been destroying the peace and health of the family members and society at large. "The rising number of road accidents, drowning on beaches and anti-social activity resulting from alcohol and drug abuse is earning a bad name for the state and making life for the ordinary citizen difficult and insecure." Christians comprise 26 per cent of Goa's population, the majority Roman Catholic. From / Gulf News