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Amaratunga to step up action plan against drug abuse

Minister of Interior and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga is to intensify and expand the coordinated action plan combat drug abuse problem this year with several state agencies, private sector and non governmental organisations and foreign agencies following the successful programmes carried out last year. The Minister summoned a high level discussion at the Defence Ministry Auditorium at Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 3 on Monday with senior officials of key state agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations tackling the drug menace in Sri Lanka to review the progress done last year and map out the action plan for 2003.

Senior officials of the Police, Customs, Immigration and Emigration, Excise Department, Prisons Department and National Dangerous Drugs Control Board together with officials of the Ministers of Defence, Interior, Justice, Education and Health and other Government and Non Governmental Organisations and UN and other foreign agencies are to attend the discussion. Members of the clergy of all religious denominations and voluntary organisations engaged in tackling the drug menace and rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts will also attend.

Amaratunga said last year following a coordinated programme launched, the agencies have been able to detect record quantities of heroin and other banned narcotics as well as apprehended king pins in the trade that there had been a reported shortage of drugs in the market. The Government also gave a firm commitment that it would not whatever their social, official or political standing.

However the drug menace continues to pose a grave threat to the socio economic well being of the people and the country and it is essential that they carry forward the same momentum against drug abuse this year as well if they are to press home the advantages they have gained.

Sri Lanka had been noted as a hub for drug trafficking and a large number of detections made last year testify to this fact. Though the trafficking has reduced, the problem is still existent and it is necessary that they step up the momentum until there is a significant reduction.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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