Archives

Excerpts of the speech by Chairman National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Prof. Ravindra Fernando at the seminar on 'Towards a drug free society', held at the Interior Ministry on February 22.

Some decades ago the problem of illicit drug use was the concern of only a limited number of countries. Today countries that are not experiencing the consequences of drug abuse are the exception rather than the rule.

The common drugs of abuse in Sri Lanka are heroin, and cannabis. Abuse of cocaine and therapeutic drugs such as diazepam is also reported. Although the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board is not directly dealing with alcohol and tobacco, they are the main substances of abuse that cause major health, social and economic concerns in Sri Lanka.

Prevalence of heroin use in Sri Lanka has not been clearly established through rigorous research studies. A recent rapid surveillance study on heroin use estimated the number of heroin abusers to be 26,000. Assuming the survey data are incorrect and double this figure, the number of heroin users is 52,000. It is believed that there are 200,000 cannabis abusers in Sri Lanka.

Last year, over 102 kilograms of heroin was detected in Sri Lanka. Over 77,000 kilograms of cannabis was also detected.

The functioning of the drug control system depends on the universal application for the provisions of the international drug control treaties such as the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs of 1961 (that convention as amended by the 1972 protocol), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The convention created a global mechanism against international drug-related criminal activities by extending the scope of the international drug control treaties from basic drug control measures to concrete provisions against the activities of criminal organisations. The South asian Association on Regional Co-operation (SAARC) to followed suit by formulating the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Sri Lanka is a signatory to all these conventions.

In the past, distinctions were made between supplier and consumer countries. It is now widely realised that such distinctions no longer have any meaning. Consumer countries have become supplier countries and vice versa. The term "transit countries" has also lost its original meaning. They too are quickly becoming consumer countries.

Demand reduction (prevention) efforts cannot be successful without substantially reducing the illicit drug supply. If drugs are readily available and easily accessible, new drug abusers will soon replace the former. AT the same time, there is evidence that elimination of a given drug from the market does not mean the elimination of a drug problem, but only a shift towards other drugs or substances of abuse. Creating a shift from the abuse of drugs under international control to the abuse of local licit substances such as tobacco or alcohol would constitute a questionable achievement of demand reduction programs.

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) was established in 1984 under the Ministry of Defence. As the national focal point, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board is vested with the responsibility of promoting and facilitating drug control activities in Sri Lanka.

These activities include action against cultivation, manufacturing, smuggling and consumption of drugs of abuse.

The board as charged with the responsibility of formulating a national policy relating to the prevention and control of dangerous drugs.

The strategies envisaged in the "Un Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities Drug Abuse Control and Global Program of Action" have been incorporated and given effect to in the Sri Lanka National Policy developed by the NDDCB for the Prevention and Control of Drug Abuse.

The strategies which are based on enforcement, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare and international and regional co-operation are being implemented by the NDDCB with the assistance from relevant government and non-governmental organisations. Relevant methodologies have been evolved for Sri Lanka both in preventive education and treatment and rehabilitation and aftercare. Healthy liaison is maintained between the board and the enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The operation of the international drug control system rests on the concept of national control by individual states within the limits of their jurisdiction in compliance with the provisions of the international treaties. Each sate which is a party to a particular treaty is bound to adopt appropriate legislation to introduce necessary administrative and enforcement measures.

Compliance by Governments with the various drug control treaties in the interest of the international community as a whole is promoted and monitored by the International narcotics Control Board (INCB). Accordingly draft legislation has been prepared by the board. The first piece of legislation aims at consolidating the law relating to Poisons and Dangerous Drugs.

This act is to provide for the repeal of the Poisons. Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and to provide for matters connected to the subject. The law will impose (a) restrictions on sale and dispensing of poisons., (b) restriction on the manufacturing, sale, supply, distribution, import, export trafficking and possession of dangerous drugs as defined in the ordinance with particular reference to heroin, cannabis, morphine, cocaine and opium.

The second legislation proposed is to give effect to certain conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This will give effect to The Untied Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, signed at Vienna on December 1988 and the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances signed at Male in November 26, 1990.

The extradition law of Sri Lanka is amended to include the offences under the United Nations Convention and the SAARC Convention. When there is no extradition arrangement in force between Sri Lanka and another state party to the conventions, the Minister is empowered to treat the (Conventions as an extradition arrangement between Sri Lanka and such other state party. The draft legislation also makes provision for the rendering of mutual assistance, including assistance relating to taking of evidence, serving of process, the conduct of searches etc, among state parties to the Conventions.

The third piece of legislation will make provisions for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons. This will enable licensing of private treatment centres, use of services of the Department of Health in the treatment and care of drug dependent persons at treatment centres and introduction of compulsory admission to treatment centres. This will direct most offenders into a non-penal channel.

It is hoped that we would be able to get this legislation enacted without delay.

The Board conducts widespread awareness programs for a variety of target populations. These include programs for the general public school children, professionals, police and security forces, and workers. Awareness of the need for prevention of drug use is also propagated through media.

It is expected to facilitate better use of all opportunities for the prevention of drug use and to focus on formal curricula, informal and non-formal educational activities and the use of mass media.

The NDDCB as the national focal point is responsible for the fulfilment of obligations under the UN and SAARC conventions and is also heavily involved in all the initiatives taken by SAARC in drug prevention and control.

However, considering the enormity of the problem and its global ramifications, it is clear that this is not a problem which the government can tackle in isolation. Much concerted effort is necessary on the part of non-governmental organisations, the media and the general public.

Considering the financial constraints placed on government institutions, non-governmental Organisations and the private sector should be encouraged to actively engage in tackling this problem.

It is also important to bring about an attitudinal change among us towards this problem. Most non-drug users see this only as a problem for the drug user. Many people are of the view that controlling drug trafficking is solely a matter for the drug law enforcement agencies and the state.

While it is imperative that the enforcement agencies function effectively, if they do not it is the general public who could instigate them to perform their tasks more effectively. The community must be organised to actively engage in prevention whenever the opportunity arises. The mass media both print and electronic could play a major supporting role in drug prevention, the mass media are able to reach the general public as well as specific target groups and build public awareness of the problem.

I would like to make an appeal to the media personnel to get involved in this problem which affects every strata of society.

Alcohol and tobacco consumption has been identified as one of the major contributing factors for poverty and other health and social problems. According to surveys, the poorest segments of the society spend at least a third of the family income on tobacco and alcohol. About 40% of suicides are alcohol and other drug related. Alcohol consumption in Sri Lanka seems to be increasing in both absolute and per capita terms.

Heroin use has created many problems. The heroin business is well established in Sri Lanka. Its direct link with crime is visible. It is estimated that heroin users consume at least 720 kg a year costing around US $ 8,000,000. This is the amount of valuable foreign exchange drained from the country annually.

The government spends about Rs.25 million annually to provide free treatment and rehabilitation services for drug users. In addition, the Department of Prisons too spends a large sum of money for correctional services annually. The mental and physical problems, and disruption to education and other costs caused to immediate family Members of drug users cannot be accurately determined.

Drug use impairs the well being of the user as well as his or her family, it creates economic hardships and dependence, and finally brings disease and death. Let us work towards creating a healthy society.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager