Govt to amend Dangerous Drug Ordinance

Hiran H.Senewiratne

The Government is planning to amend the Opium and Dangerous Drug Ordinance to prevent and control drug abuse in Sri Lanka. The report on the Amendment will be presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on World-Anti-Drug Day on June 26.

Addressing a media briefing on World Anti Drug Day arrangements, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said with the end of the war, the Government has now taken initiatives to prevent and control drug abuse under the Mathata Titha Program.

He said the Government cannot promote this program without the support of its stakeholders or related agencies including the media and the public because the use of drugs affects the family unit and it ruing the entire social fabric.

"To combat the national menace we have to amend and introduce new laws and regulations, which is a part of the Mahinda Chinthana," he said.

The Premier said most drug addicts are between the ages of 25- 35 who are part of the working population.

"If we do not address this issue, the country cannot progress as a nation in the future. Today, the Government has to spend an enormous amount to improve and treat the health condition of drug addicts," he said.

National Dangerous Drug Control Board Chairman, D.P Mendis P.C said reports released between January to June in 2007, revealed there was a remarkable decrease in heroin addicts during that period. He added that police arrests also declined by 15 percent. "Although there is a 40 percent decline in cannabis users due to the increased number of raids, the spread and transport of cannabis have increased remarkably. The lack of technology and equipment to detect such cases by the Exercise Department is the main cause," he said.

Mendis said from 1984 to date, 20 percent to 25 percent addicts have moved out of all kinds of drugs. During that period the Police Narcotics Bureau was formed to intensify raids and it is running under DIG Sisira Mendis.

Mendis said the media should play an important and responsible role in reporting such incidents as well, he said.