School students educated on dangers of narcotics

Colombo, March 5 (Daily Mirror) - School students were educated on the dangers of narcotic drugs as part of a series of awareness programmes being carried out under the National Mission for the Nation Together initiative, the Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry said.

They said the programmes are being implemented in line with National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) efforts to counter the growing social impact caused by drug abuse.

As part of the ongoing narcotics prevention initiatives, Narcotics Prevention Week was launched from March 1 following a Public Administration Circular issued based on a decision of the National Steering Committee for the Eradication of Narcotics.

Accordingly, several programmes are being conducted at government institutions, schools and regional levels across the country with the support of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, its affiliated departments and institutions, as well as District and Divisional Secretariats.

One such awareness programme was held yesterday (4) at Hewawitharana College in Rajagiriya. The event was organised by the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Divisional Secretariat together with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

During the programme, students were educated on developing knowledge, understanding and attitudes to combat drug abuse, while also encouraging them to enhance active skills through sports and recreational activities alongside their educational pursuits.

Addressing the event, the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Industry and Enterprise Development told students that learning should not be limited to studying textbooks and passing examinations, but should also involve understanding and processing information that shapes their attitudes and decisions in life.