Mathata Thitha To eliminate drug abuse

The Government is determined to effectively deal with the problem of drug abuse and, in the light of current development will be working towards the total elimination of the drug abuse from the Sri Lankan society by 2010.This goal will be pursued relentlessly by all drug law enforcement agencies; the government agencies directly involved in drug demand reduction including provincial and local administrations; other agencies which have a potential for contributing to the end objective and NGOs and private sector agencies

Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's concept of Mathata Thitha, the Government is conscious of the illicit production, trafficking and abuse of drugs in the country; adverse effects of drug use on health of drug dependents; the upsurge in drug related crime; the draining of human, natural and financial resources and the destruction of individuals, families and communities due to drug abuse. If we take a brief summery of the drug related statistics of Sri Lanka for the year 2006, the total number of cases of drug related arrests was 47, 298 in 2006. More than half of them were aged 30 years or more and a third of them were in their twenties. The man to woman ratio of drug arrests was 28:1. Of the drug related arrests, 12,551 were for heroin, 34,728 for cannabis. Most of the drug related arrests, (72%) was reported from the Western Province followed by the Southern province (8%) and the Central province (6%). The Colombo district reported (60%) of the drug related arrests followed by the Gampaha district (6%) and the Kalutara district (6%). The mostly consummated drugs in Sri Lanka are Cannabis, Heroin and Opium. When considering Cannabis, it is the only drug that grows in Sri Lanka. It is mostly grown in the dry zones of the country in the Eastern and Southern provinces. The estimated land area under cannabis cultivation is 500 hectares.

Though Cannabis is the most consummated drug in Sri Lanka, the majority of cases of drug related arrests were for heroin. Before 1980s, heroin use was restricted to few locals who had travelled abroad and to some foreign tourists. Heroin use became more common among other social strata from early 80s. Thereafter the number of users had increased. Even though, its use was initially confined to Colombo city and few provincial towns, now it had spread to remote towns and rural areas as well. Also, it has become a major health and social problem in the country, cutting ethic, religious and geographical lines. With the return of normality, heroin use had reached the Northern and Eastern provinces as well.

The other popular brand, Opium is used in the Ayurveda (indigenous) medical pharmacopoeia and the Government makes it available to Ayurveda Medical Practitioners through Government Hospitals. However, taking a much larger portion than the prescribed medical measures of this brand is also considered to have adverse impacts on one›s health. The average street price per kilogram of heroin in 2006 was 2.8 million Sri Lanka Rupees. For locals and it was rupees 4.0 million for foreigners.

The street level price per kilogram of cannabis was between 6000-7700 Sri Lankan rupees for locals and 8500-11,000 rupees for foreigners. The average street level price of cannabis is 6816.67 Sri Lanka rupees for locals and 8208.33 for foreigners. The average street level price per kilogram of opium was 0.5 million of Sri Lanka rupees for locals and 0.8 million for foreigners.

The average street level price per kilogram of hashish was about 12,000 Sri Lanka rupees for locals and it was about 19,000 rupees for foreigners. Considering this situation the Government has extended its concern to the illicit production, trafficking in and abuse of drugs in the country, and the adverse effects of drugs on the health of those addicted to them.

In addition, drug abuse has led to the upsurge in drug related crime; the draining of human, natural and financial resources; the destruction of individuals, families and communities, and our cultural norms, all of which need urgent attention.

Further, the Government has become fully aware of its international obligations, particularly those stemming from the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, and United Nations Convention Against Illicit Trafficking Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988 ratified by the government.

Thus, the Government has reaffirm its political will and determination to tackle the drug problem locally and internationally by reviewing the existing national policy, which was formulated more than a decade ago, That is the key factor which lead to the insistence that, all the institutions that come under Government purview should adhere to this national drug policy. The concerned non-government agencies are expected to be active partners in the implementation of the government policy. Fulfilment of the social responsibilities of private sector institutions within the framework of this policy is also critical in drug prevention and control.

The revised national policy which was approved by the Cabinet of Sri Lanka on 23rd June 2005 consists of the following strategies.

a. Effective monitoring of imports, exports, distribution of drugs and precursor chemicals under control.

b. Effective enforcement of law against production, smuggling, trafficking, sale, and use of illicit drugs.

c. Preventing the use of drugs and reducing the adverse consequences of drug abuse.

d. Supporting regional and international initiatives.

According to this policy, the Government will adopt a broader approach to drug abuse control within the context of human development, focusing particularly on the links between drug abuse and poverty reduction, crime prevention, and improving health.

The Government believes that the most effective approach to the drug problem would comprise of a comprehensive, balanced and coordinated strategy. In such a strategy supply control and demand reduction will reinforce each other. A high sense of shared responsibility will be the norm.

Also the new National Policy for the Prevention and Control of Drug Abuse does provide an immense scope in regional and international initiatives It is accepted that no country can tackle its drug problem in isolation.

The Government will encourage the relevant agencies to actively engage in formal international cooperation through bilateral, regional and international collaboration.

Accordingly, all institutions concerned will support, assist, and participate adequately in regional and international initiatives recognized by the Government. Regional and International co-operation will also be encouraged through NGOs which have regional/international collaborative mechanisms.

Apart form the involvement of the National Policy, in the process of eliminating drug use in Sri Lanka, another key role is played by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB).

As per mandate given by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No.11 of 1984, the Board will monitor and review the Sri Lanka National Policy for the Prevention and Control of Drug Abuse.

The Board will function as the national focal point and coordinate the drug control activities of all

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