VASCO
Dr Rajesh Patil, Associate Professor of Surgery at GMC who was recently honored with a national award for outstanding services in the field of prevention of alcohol and substance abuse at the hands of President Ram Nath Kovind, said youth and school children should stop before they take the first sip of alcohol.
Dr Patil was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony organised by Velsao Villagers Association (VVA) at Cansaulim complex hall recently. He was felicitated at the hands of Ayush Minister Shripad Naik in the presence of Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha and other members of VVA at a hugely attended function.
Dr Patil said that he had only collected the award, but there were many who had worked shoulder to shoulder in his work against alcoholism and substance abuse. “There are many who can be credited for my award, but one person who is the most important is VVA Convenor Roquezinho D’Souza,” he said.
“My fist work was with Alcoholic Anonymous at Cansaulim. I want to tell the youth and students that if they have not yet consumed alcohol, then they must stop before the first drink. If they have already begun consuming alcohol, then please take help,” he advised.
Ayush Minister Shripad Naik said Dr Patil had not not helped fight against substance abuse, but had saved families with his tireless efforts. “The name of Goa gets tarnished because of alcoholism. Even if one member of a family is alcoholic, the entire family suffers. Dr Patil has saved a lot of families,” said Naik
The Convenor of VVA Roquezinho D’Souza said, “Not only in Goa, Dr Patil has worked extensively on creating awareness on ill effects of alcohol outside the State.”
