Drug menace must be treated as national priority: PM

Colombo, March 14 (Daily Mirror) - Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said that addressing the country’s growing drug problem must be treated as a national priority and should deliver tangible results at the ground level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting held at Temple Trees to brief her on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) for the period 2026–2030.

The discussion, attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders, focused on a proposed national strategy aimed at addressing the growing health, social and economic challenges linked to substance use disorders in Sri Lanka.

The strategic plan seeks to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach.

During the meeting, officials highlighted several existing gaps, including early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and reintegration of recovering individuals into society.

The proposed plan outlines several key measures such as strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse prevention programmes.

Special attention has also been given to vulnerable groups including children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya said that the drug menace has evolved into a serious social crisis threatening the stability and security of families and society, stressing that both law enforcement and rehabilitation must be given equal priority.

She also highlighted the importance of public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key components of the national strategy.