’’Suraksha’’ media program on drug prevention held in Colombo

Colombo, May 28 (Daily Mirror) - The sixth program under the “Suraksha” national media-based drug prevention initiative was held on Tuesday (27) at the Colombo District Secretariat. The event was held under the patronage of Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara and the Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), Dr. Indika Wanninayake.

The media workshop was jointly organized by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Colombo District Secretariat, and the Department of Government Information. It was attended by Additional District Secretary (Administration) Kanchana Gunawardena, Deputy Director of the NDDCB’s Preventive Education and Training Division Pradeep Kumara Koholanegedara, NDDCB Media Spokesperson and Education and Training Officer Chamara Karunaratne, along with journalists and around 50 media officers, including media coordinators representing various Divisional Secretariats.

District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara said that drug prevention cannot be achieved by the government alone and it requires a whole-of-society approach.

He also highlighted the importance of community participation in prevention efforts. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Wanninayake revealed that the government has increased funding for drug prevention programs, allocating approximately Rs. 950 million annually to support these initiatives.

The NDDCB is the leading government institution working to eliminate the drug menace in Sri Lanka. It was highlighted during the program that the board operates four treatment and rehabilitation centers across the country for individuals struggling with drug use.

However, it was also revealed that the number of women seeking treatment at these centers remains comparatively low.

According to the latest statistics, around 120,000 individuals are addicted to heroin, while an estimated 600,000 are addicted to methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE). Approximately 100,000 people are reported to be addicted to various types of drug pills, and another 300,000 to cannabis (ganja).

In addition to the NDDCB-operated centers, there are 13 licensed private rehabilitation centers in Sri Lanka that provide treatment services for individuals with drug addictions.