Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Goa commemorated the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by organizing an awareness programme on 26th June 2025. The session was conducted with the aim of sensitizing students to the growing menace of substance abuse and equipping them with tools to make informed and healthy choices.
The resource persons for the session were Dr. Sneha Pokle, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, and Ms. Meghna Jadhav, Clinical Psychologist, both associated with the State Tele-MANAS initiative at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao, Goa.
Setting the context for the programme, Prof. Afonso Botelho, Nodal Officer against Drug Abuse at the college, emphasized the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of awareness and resilience among students. “At Xavier’s, we strive to nurture informed, responsible, and resilient individuals—empowered to make conscious, life-affirming decisions,” he stated.
Dr. Pokle underscored the growing public health challenge posed by drug abuse, drawing attention to the often-neglected link between mental health issues and substance use. She highlighted the dangerous influence of social media and celebrity endorsements in normalizing tobacco and drug consumption among young people.
Ms. Jadhav introduced the students to the Goa government’s Tele-MANAS helpline, a mental health support initiative. She urged students to reach out for professional help in times of stress, anxiety, or when overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts. Assuring complete confidentiality, she noted, “All information shared with Tele-MANAS counsellors remains strictly private. Help is just a call away.”
The session was attended by247 students from Arts, Commerce, Science and Self-Finance Streams. It concluded with an appeal to the college students to be vigilant, compassionate, and proactive in addressing the challenges of drug abuse.
The following Assistant Professors Dr. James D’ Souza (Department of Botany), Ms. Zarina Chowdari (Department of Commerce), Mr. Clarence Rodrigues (Department of Chemistry) and Mr. Prasad S. Naik (Department of Political Science) assisted the Nodal Officer in the organization of the Awareness programme.
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