Illegal drug free Sri Lanka by 2020
Ishara Mudugamuwa
The government makes great effort to reduce the demand and supply of
illegal drugs to create a drug free Sri Lanka by 2020, said Defence and
Urban Development Ministry Additional Secretary D M S D Jayaratne.
Participating in the 29th anniversary celebrations of the National
Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB) at Sausiripaya, the Additional
Secretary said the NDDCB, under the purview of the Defence and Urban
Development Ministry, is the sole government organization committed to
implement national goals of prevention and control of drug abuse to make
Sri Lanka the pioneer in managing outcomes and impact of drug related
issues in South Asia.
"Drug addiction and other drug related issues are not personal
matters. It is an international issue that all countries should address
by controlling the supply and demand," she said.
She said drug related issues badly affect the country's economy. The
government has to spend a large amount of money for the rehabilitation
and treatment of drug addicted people. A majority of the victims of
drugs are teenagers. Therefore, the country loses the valuable human
resource it needs to develop its economy and society, she added.
The government has taken a number of measures to reduce the demand
and supply of illegal drugs.
The government cannot do this alone as this is a social problem, the
additional secretary said. The public should also support the government
to control the spread of drugs specially among teenagers, she said.
Addressing the occasion, NDDCB Chairperson Leisha de Silva Chandrasena
said the NDDCB is dedicated to take measures actively and consistently,
to nullify the demand and supply of illegal drugs within the country.
She said the NDDCB currently engages in compilation and
implementation of the national policy regarding drug abuse and related
areas, and organizing drug prevention programmes in collaboration with
other organizations and departments. The NDDCB also promotes treatment
methodologies and rehabilitation activities as well as conducting field
work, workshops and maintenance of database. The NDDCB also carries out
inspection and monitoring of various relevant institutions in the field
that require maintenance of standards to fulfill the agreements with the
UN and SAARC. "The NDDCB is maintaining a hotline service which is 1984,
open 24 hours for public complaints and inquiries. With the dedication
of its chairmen and staff, the Board is able to expand its services in a
large scale since 1984," said the chairperson. |