📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Health
Goa CM Announces Drug‑Free Zone Circular Focused on Awareness, Not Enforcement
✍️ The Goan
🗓 28 Aug 2026, 06:33 PM
👁 33
Chief Minister of Goa issued a circular declaring certain areas as drug‑free zones, emphasizing public awareness rather than policing.
The Chief Minister of Goa issued a circular that designates selected localities as drug‑free zones, stating that the primary aim is to educate the public about the hazards of narcotics. The order explicitly mentions that the initiative is not a law‑enforcement drive, but a public‑health campaign.
Under the circular, the government will launch awareness programmes, community outreach activities and partner with schools, NGOs and health agencies to spread information on the risks of drug abuse. Police presence will be limited to responding to verified illegal activity rather than routine patrols in the designated zones.
Officials said the move aligns with national anti‑drug strategies and seeks to curb substance misuse, especially among young people. The CM urged citizens to take part in the awareness drives and to report any drug‑related incidents they encounter.
The administration will monitor the effectiveness of the zones and may consider expanding the programme based on feedback and observed outcomes. The approach reflects a shift towards preventive education in response to growing concerns about drug misuse in coastal regions.
Under the circular, the government will launch awareness programmes, community outreach activities and partner with schools, NGOs and health agencies to spread information on the risks of drug abuse. Police presence will be limited to responding to verified illegal activity rather than routine patrols in the designated zones.
Officials said the move aligns with national anti‑drug strategies and seeks to curb substance misuse, especially among young people. The CM urged citizens to take part in the awareness drives and to report any drug‑related incidents they encounter.
The administration will monitor the effectiveness of the zones and may consider expanding the programme based on feedback and observed outcomes. The approach reflects a shift towards preventive education in response to growing concerns about drug misuse in coastal regions.