In a society plagued by drug abuse and other vices, St Xaviers College,
Mapusa took the initiative to educate students in particular, and people
in general on the harm full influence of drugs. The N.C.C and N.S.S
volunteers of the college organized a rally to observe the International
Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 25 August 2010, the
theme being ‘Think Health Not Drugs’.
Earlier, the students participated in an interactive session conducted
by Dr.Jawaharlal Henriques, founder of ‘Saint Anthony’s Hospital’,
Anjuna. Dr.Henriques narrated his own experiences and urged the students
to fight against the drug menace to safeguard themselves and their
future. He exhorted the students not to experiment with drugs as once
addicted its very difficult to come out of it.
The Principal of the College Dr.(Fr.) Walter de Sa, flagged off the
rally and blessed the efforts of all those working for a drug free
world. The rally which received an overwhelming response with
participation from the teacher-student community, commenced from the
college campus wending it’s way up to the Mapusa bus stand. Students
carried placards with slogans such as ‘Say No to Drugs”,’Smoking dope
won’t help you cope’.’You don’t need Heroin to be a hero’, highlighting
the need to abstain from all drugs.
The rally was coordinated by N.S.S Chief Programme Officer, Ms Ana Sousa
and N.C.C . Lt.Ms Mumtaz Mendonca.
