------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to the FRIDAY BALCAO ------------------------------------------------------
Dear Cybergaonkars on Saligaonet, Friday Balcao the fortnightly discussion event to be held on 23rd June will focus on strategies to deal with the narcotics trade and drug addiction in Goa. The discussion is being organised in observance of the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking 26th June. Over the last two decades there has been a steady rise in the narcotics trade in Goa while drug addiction has also been on the increase. However the change in the type of drugs traded as well as consumed has been significant. There have been many factors for the increase in the trade and the change in the consumption pattern but life style change and tourism stand out as the two most important ones.The large number of foreign tourists spending important holiday time in Goa has brought with it the dynamics of demand and supply linked to price and the capacity to pay. From consumption of charas amongst tourists to drug addiction due to brown sugar among local youth the situation has changed quite dramatically. Today cocaine and synthetic drugs are also in use. The newspapers and the TV channels report quite regularly the seizures of narcotics by the Police & other law enforcing agencies. Many of these cases do not necessarily result in convictions of those accused of being involved in the trade. Should the narcotics trade be curbed only by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Goa Police or is there a need for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to step in ? What is the level of intelligence on the narcotics trade that is available with Govt. agencies keeping in view the large number of foreign tourists involved in consuming drugs ? To what extent have the night beach parties contributed to the growth of the narcotics trade ? Do domestic tourists create a demand for narcotics ? What role can the citizen play in combating drugs in their neighbourhoods ? What role can educational institutions play to keep students off drugs and keep drugs off the campus ? What specific role can PTA's, NGO's, Service Clubs, Mahila Mandals, and heads of religious institutions play in the fight against the narcotics trade & drug addiction in Goa ? The Balcao discussion will cover these questions and also evolve an agenda for action by citizens on the issue. Friday Balcao will be from 4pm to 6pm at the Goa Desc Resource Centre No.11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa and is open to members of the public. We invite you to attend the Friday Balcao event but if you cannot attend, then please send your views by post to FRIDAY BALCAO Post Box 78, Mapusa 403 507 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] best wishes, Roland Martins ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.2/372 - Release Date: 6/21/2006 _______________________________________________ Saligao 403511 website http://saligao.goa-india.org Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
