‘Media can help eradicate drug menace’

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa pledged to eradicate the drug menace in Sri Lanka by 2015 according to the Mahinda Chinthana future vision and the media has to play a vital role to make this effort a reality, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) said.

Leisha de Silva

NDDCB chairperson Leisha de Silva Chandrasena said 45 percent of the total number of persons in prisons have been remanded for drug related offences. All of them are not drug users. The drug abusers are not criminals.

The authorities should treat them well.

“Most persons are young. They are a valuable part for the country's development. We should know how to take their assistance for development,”the chairperson said.

She was addressing a press briefing at the NDDCB auditorium yesterday.

The government has spent a large amount of money on rehabilitating programmes.

There are three treatment centres in Hindagala, Pallekele and Kalutra prisons to rehabilitate the remanded persons.

Other treatment centres have been established in Gallle, Nittambuwa, Kandy, Thalangama and Makumbura, she said.

The NDDCB has planned a walk to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking along with the Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Ministry, Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and governmental and non-governmental institutions.

The walk will begin at the Welikada Prisons on June 26 at 2.00 pm. It will reach Wesley College through Borelle, Punchi-Borella at 3.30 pm and a special meeting will be held at Wesley College.