DRUGS, Goa

You will probably be offer to use and buy drugs from local and other people in Goa, but say no. Stay away from it. It is very hard penalities in India if you use drugs, and sometimes the police are corrupted and they work together with the drug dealer to make more income. The police income in India is very low, so they need to make some extra.

I just had a harrowing experience at Palolem Beach in south Goa (with similar but minor occurrences in the north at Vagator/Anjuna/Calangute). I have recounted the story at the link below as a stern warning for backapckers heading to the coast of Goa:

http://mixeye.com/viewpoint.php?vid=24

Take a note of this tip VERY SERIOUSLY! Travellers are advised to refrain from these kind of activities as you're sure shot to invite trouble! You can have this... but at your own risk! The cops often conduct raids at rave/acid parties and if they find you having grass/marijuana even 0.1mg. It can land you up in serious trouble, You will be held under THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT and your future is sealed forever in Aguada jail! If you feel like having it, dont have it openly!

Even after having it, dont let the smell remain in the mouth as that would also land you up in trouble. Have "Chloromint" or any other subatance that would take off the smell of marijuana.

UPDATES: DRUG PEDDLERS & THE POLICE:
These guys could be found in places like Anjuna and Vagator who would always come behind you, asking you if you need a Weed, LSD, Ecstacy and blah blah. Let me explain you the scam that is involved. These guys will sell you the drugs and you will take them. They have a mutual understanding with the police constables on duty in that particular area. They act as an informers to the police that this particular person has drugs and if the police catches you, your cash as well as other possesions are gone and you land up in Jail or pay heavy bribes. The Drug Peddler gets commission from the constable for information and for the work done. This is how it all works.....Such cases are very few but it does exist.

More Updates: If you in Anjuna, a Warning, be careful of these guys. By looking at him itself you will come to know that he sells drugs. Let me give you his description. Hes about 5'5", Curly hair and he has a tinge of African looks. Hes one of the most infamous and well known drug Peddler in Anjuna and Vagator.

Also be away from this black-bearded BABA who is also well known for his sweet talks and he encourages drug consumption. He ususally hangs around near Avalon Sunset restaurant which is on the way to Anjuna beach.

I did not use drugs when I was in Goa, but some friends smoked joints and so many other people do it. But the Indian police know it too. So sometimes they catch any tourist who smokes something illegal and then they take his/her money instead of giving the tourist a penalty. So, my advise is to stay away from drugs at all. Drink alcohol instead! The police doesnt make so much money at all in India, so it is a little extra income some of they have. No drugs, then you have less problems with the police.

Where tourists go wrong is they are too trusting. Everybody in Goa has an agenda. Toursits are atomatically sized up as potential trafficers, they often mistake the kindness for genuine friendship. It is often the case that a British men and women will ofer to show you around, keep you safe etc. This is where the danger lies.

Drinks are often spiked to relax you and make you more pliable.
Ultimately tourists end up dead or addicted and in debt. to the local mafia.

The problem for a foreigner is the lack of understanding about who they are caught up with or the motive for any kindness.

There is a contempt in goa for the tourists, even young women.
The truth is it is not safe, murders are passed off as accident, drug overdose, suicide.
The police collect fines for not arresting you, the mafia will use anybody they can to extend the customer base.

To take drugs in Goa is stupid, you must be alert and guarded.
There were 3 women washed up on the beach recently, a 9 tourist raped on the beach (it is worth reading the comments from Goa on YouTube if you want to see the real thoughts towards the tourists).

Goa is not just an epicentre, where drugs are sold at rave and trance parties. In recent years, it has become a transit point for drugs shipped out to various European countries and a production centre for synthetic party drugs.

In keeping with the trend among drug smugglers worldwide of coming up with innovated ideas to escape the law, drug lords based in Goa are using minors (both boys and girls) as ‘mules’ and carbonised suitcases to ship their drugs to Europe.

The arrest of a Nigerian national trying to smuggle drugs out of the country brings into focus the newer and novel ways of drug smuggling resorted to in recent times. The heroin - 2.5 kilograms - was concealed in a false bottom of the Nigerian’s bag.

Carbonised compartments fitted in suitcases and bags hamper the detection of drugs, informed one customs official in Mumbai.

If that was not enough, young boys and girls are forced by compulsion to act as mules by drug dealers in Goa to courier consignments. Kids hooked on drugs are forced to carry the consignments to foreign destinations.

An Italian minor was caught at the Dabolim airport in Goa when she was due to board an Indian Airlines flight to Mumbai en route to Auckland via Singapore last year. The arrest exposed an Israeli drug racket based in Goa that was using the new method to transit drugs out of India.

Read these following news paper articles to get a better idea about this issue

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/24144702.cms

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/10goa2.htm

For pure tourism there is nothing to beat Goa, but then people tend to explore Goa for other reasons. For wrong motives any place can be bad, why only Goa. The death figures which are quoted are not murder or killings but deaths occuring due to normal occurance as well. According to me Goa is as safe as it could be just a bit of caution and clear intentions are desired. The last pisode of 15 year old dying could have been avoided had the mother been more watchful. The young girl was alone with the bartender doing drugs. It had all the ingredients of bad ending.

Drugs are rampant in goa. So I see no reason to instill fear within tourists on the topic (though the government would differ with me).
You can get a fair bit of variety on your recreational drug of choice. Though the cardinal rules still apply like any other city.
Rules:
1. Don't be ***-faced in front of the cops. If you are. DON'T STOP.
2. Be sure your buying from a good source and don't take anything anyone gives you for free. (There's no free lunch in life).
3. Hide the drugs when your leaving one place for the next. So that if the cops stop you, it's not on you.
4. Don't be stupid to carry a huge amount at any time. There's only so much you will need for the night.
5. If the cops do stop you be courteous yet defiant. You have nothing to hide remember.

You are here to party and have fun, gr8 weather, the ambience, and the people, isnt that enough to get you on a high!!

I never understood why anyone would get hooked on to the 'STUFF'. Though you might find it available locally with a little bit of effort, take my word, stay away cos the cops arent gonna let you go easy on this.

Please be aware that there appears to be little intollerance to drug use here - if it is not your scene then please just walk away and find a bar that is more your scene. Although a 'Spliffed' up holiday maker is more 'Chilled' out than a drunken lout - but be aware that this 'could' / 'may' go on in a very few of the bars.