📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Fredericknoronha
Politics
Goa government orders drug‑free zones around schools, opposition decries move
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 10:33 AM
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The Goa state government issued a circular designating areas around schools as drug‑free zones, prompting sharp criticism from opposition parties who say the step fails to safeguard the state's future.
The Goa administration has released a circular that declares a radius around every school in the state to be a "drug‑free zone". The directive mandates that authorities enforce strict anti‑drug measures within these zones and restrict any activities that could facilitate substance abuse.
Opposition leaders responded immediately, labeling the policy as inadequate and accusing the government of failing to protect the state's future generations. They argued that merely marking zones does not address the root causes of drug consumption among youth and called for more comprehensive interventions.
The move comes amid growing concerns over drug use in educational institutions across India, with several states reporting rising incidents of substance abuse among students. Goa's circular seeks to pre‑empt such trends by creating a legal buffer around schools, though critics say enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.
Stakeholders, including parents and civil‑society groups, are watching the implementation closely, awaiting clarity on penalties and the role of law‑enforcement agencies. The opposition has pledged to raise the issue in the state assembly and explore legal avenues if the policy proves ineffective.
Opposition leaders responded immediately, labeling the policy as inadequate and accusing the government of failing to protect the state's future generations. They argued that merely marking zones does not address the root causes of drug consumption among youth and called for more comprehensive interventions.
The move comes amid growing concerns over drug use in educational institutions across India, with several states reporting rising incidents of substance abuse among students. Goa's circular seeks to pre‑empt such trends by creating a legal buffer around schools, though critics say enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.
Stakeholders, including parents and civil‑society groups, are watching the implementation closely, awaiting clarity on penalties and the role of law‑enforcement agencies. The opposition has pledged to raise the issue in the state assembly and explore legal avenues if the policy proves ineffective.