International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Drug-free Sri Lanka by 2015:

More than just having goals for tourism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged to eradicate the drug menace in Sri Lanka by the year 2015. Even today, tourists violating Sri Lankan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned and penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sri Lanka are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

In a statement issued, the Director of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board P.P. Mendis, P.C. said that ever since the NDDCB was founded 25 years ago, significant breakthroughs in treating drug addicts, offering preventive education, rehabilitating drug addicts and ensuring that the law enforcement in the drug industry have been done to combat the drug problem in Sri Lanka.

With the law enforcement sub-committee consisting of the Police Narcotic Bureau, the Customs, the Excise Department, the Immigration and Emigration, the armed forces and other officials, the drug problem in Sri Lanka has been effectively tackled and has a better reputation with that of neighbours Maldives and even India.

Under President Rajapaksa's goals, the local language defines the drug menace as mathata titha which is vital to focus on abstinence.

The recent launching of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Authority by the President has emphazised that Sri Lanka is not going to allow any aspect of the drug problem be it alcohol or tobacco go unnoticed.

As a result, there have been rules against publicizing or advertising the habit of smoking, drinking or doing drugs in the local media.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva has said that the Government's assistance will be sanctioned to voluntary organizations operating counselling centers to rescue and rehabilitate those addicted to alcohol, drugs and smoking. Having this in mind, the minister said that Model Rehabilitation Centers will be initiated island wide.

It was highlighted that new amendments would be brought to the existing Tobacco and Alcohol Act. No.27 of 2006.

New regulations would be introduced to strengthen the drug law and with international assistance and financing, better measures would be intact to ensure the process is maintained, he added.

In the year 2006, a national policy for drug control was set up and the fact that drug usage is a palliative disease that can be overcome. The basis of the law related to the Compulsory treatment act No. 57 of 2007 gives them the right to treatment and rehabilitation. Making Sri Lanka a drug-free country isn't easy as drugs are one of the only forms of solace for many unemployed and rather affluent youth.

For some, it's seen as a way to fit into a social group and also as a factor of peer pressure.

In other ways, drugs have been the root cause of domestic violence and financial suffering and the government has already set up various rehabilitation centres like the Methsevana, Navadiganthaya, Sethsevana and Mithsevana around the country to reform heavy drug users. Furthermore, a psycho-social method and counselling program is also taking place for prisoners jailed for drug abuse which will make drug eradication goals successful.

The Colombo Plan International Society (CPIS) in collaboration with the Battaramulla Rotary Club, the Talangama Police Station and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) are commemorating 'World Anti Drugs Day' today at the Buddhadasa Stadium in Pellawatte.

Around 300 children from the local schools will be participating with special drama skits, musicals and speeches will be delivered on drug eradication. The theme of the program is to educate and impart knowledge of the dangers of narcotic drugs usage to the younger generation.

N.D