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The Moving Finger by Lionel Wijesiri

Illegal drugs in whatever form seem to have become a national problem that urgently cries out for fast and effective solutions. Minister of Interior and Christian Affairs, John Amaratunga recently appealed to all sections in the Government, private and NGO sectors to act in unison to save the country's youth from the drug menace. He promised to appoint a committee to recommend amendments to the existing laws to effectively tackle the problem.

For decades we have been fighting a losing war against drugs. While the organizational efficiency connected with our drug control strategies has increased over the past two decades, drug problems have worsened. Adolescent drug abuse is increasing, heroin and other drugs are more available, and health problems related to drugs are mounting.

According to the Director of the Police Narcotics Bureau, Pujitha Jayasundara, the detections made last year are only 10 per cent of the narcotics that actually come into the country. "This shows the gravity of the problem", he said.

New Ideas

Drug problems can be reduced at less cost if we change course and adopt strategies that work. At a time when the Government budget is limited, programs need to be re-evaluated to make sure that funding goes only to programs that work.

We should allocate resources in a more meaningful way. Our drug control strategy has been approached primarily as a law enforcement issue. As Minister Amaratunga said the Police have done a good job with record arrests and drug seizures yet drug problems continue to worsen. The Government needs to accept that the law enforcement paradigm alone will never work and also shift attention to treating drug abuse as a health problem with social and economic implications.

The treatment should be made available freely just like any other health service. Making treatment services widely available undermines the drug market and reduces the harms from drug abuse. In addition, we must provide extensive mental health treatment for cases of sex abuse, spousal abuse and child abuse which are the underlying causes of addiction.

Kamal Kariyawasam, an experienced social worker says : "We can also minimize drug abuse in the longer run by investing in our youth and providing them with accurate information: The most effective way to prevent adolescent drug abuse is to keep them interested and involved in life. Government should increase funding for after school programs, mentor programs, skills building and job training programs and spare jobs for youth. Education on drug abuse needs to be fact-based, accurate and taught by trained educators and health professionals".

"We can all agree that kids, especially young kids, should not be using drugs recreationally. In fact, if we can keep our children from using drugs when they are young, we can almost guarantee that they will not fall into patterns of substance abuse later. Since it is clear that we cannot be with them all the time, the question is how we, as adults, can help them to make healthy choices in their lives".

"I believe we should process some programme like DARE in USA, which means -Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Right now, the vast majority of America's kids are taught some version of the DARE program. Developed by the Los Angeles Police Department, DARE sends police into the schools to talk to kids, about the dangers of drugs. Most reformers believe that it is best to teach kids honestly about substances and their dangers. Kids need to know that we have been honest with them if we expect them to take seriously our most important admonitions and warnings. Education should be age-appropriate, but kids who want information should be given the truth".

Corrupt System

Rev. Vineetha Thera who works closely with a number of NGOs, has a different view. He says : "A deep sense of spirituality may be what is needed to combat our rampant drug abuse problem.

We have to do what is right and do what is under the law, What the government should do is to develop a high level of spirituality and integrity, like the Japanese, to eradicate the drug menace".

He noted Japan's effective court case management during a recent visit to that country. He said this is because they really enforce the law by punishing the main culprits and "they do not choose whom to arrest."

"Here, usually only small-time drug users and pushers are caught. The drug problem is caused by a graft and corrupt system," he said.

The illegal drug trade is one of the biggest industries in the country today. Even in the remotest towns, heroin can be readily purchased from pushers. University and college students by thousands are hooked on heroin.

It is said that in the entire Asia, Sri Lanka is one of the easiest places to buy illegal drugs.

Unless this menace is eliminated or at least drastically curbed, we may become another Colombia. We cannot allow the drug menace to endanger our democratic institutions and the integrity of our country. We can no longer remain complacent in the face of the rapidly growing menace that is corroding the foundations of our society. It is time to fight head-on the drug menace with a new, co-ordinated force that will enjoy the full support of our people.

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