International Anti-Narcotics Day on June 26:

PM calls for help of all to eliminate narcotics menace

The use of drugs and liquor cannot be minimised through legal provisions only. Everyone should join hands to make concerted efforts to counter this malady, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka when he declared a Drug Prevention Week from June 23 to 29 to coincide with International Anti-Narcotics Day on June 26 at a ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.

The Prime Minister said the Government declared a Drug Prevention Week to draw the people's attention to the need to eliminate the narcotics menace.

"People should not remain complacent by confining their prevention activities to the drug prevention week only.

Their efforts should be continued on a sustained basis if they were to attain successful results."

The Prime Minister said taxes on cigarettes and liquor had been one of the major sources of income in Budget proposals made by past Governments.

The present Government decided to forego this sizeable income by introducing the Mathata Thitha programme to create a disciplined society in the larger interests of the Nation.

Although cigarettes and liquor brought in a sizeable income to the Government, they had caused more illnesses among the people forcing the Government to spend vast funds for healthcare services, he said. The Prime Minister however noted that the use of liquor and narcotics could not be minimised through legal provisions only unless people made a concerted effort to eradicate it.

National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Chairman D.P. Mendis, PC, Board Advisor Ven. Kuppiawatte Bodhananda Thera and Federation of World Temperance Movement's President Sisira Kodagoda were also present.