Police stations under watch over drug raids; STF to step in where police fail

• Nationwide campaign launched to combat the drug menace

 By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that if a local police station fails to take action against drug-related activities in its area, he is prepared to deploy other police divisions or the Police Special Task Force (STF) to conduct raids. 
The Minister said a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted towards failures in acting on narcotics-related information and said that police officers and the STF have been instructed not to ignore any complaints or intelligence regarding illegal drug activities. 
The remarks come amid reports that more than 1,000 police officers have been removed from service over various offences. The Minister had earlier said that some officers were dismissed for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and maintaining links with organised criminal groups. 
He also said several officers had been removed for offences including neglect of duty and accepting bribes. Speaking on the government’s drug prevention strategy at an event in Kurunegala on Sunday, Wijepala said authorities would adopt a different approach towards drug users and traffickers.  

He said that simply arresting and imprisoning drug users would not provide a lasting solution, and that users should instead be treated as individuals requiring medical assistance and directed towards rehabilitation programmes. 
However, he said strict legal action would be taken against drug traffickers and distributors who contribute to the spread of narcotics. 
“There is no use in arresting and imprisoning drug users. Therefore, we have given instructions to treat drug users as patients and direct them toward rehabilitation and treatment, while strictly enforcing the law to trap drug traffickers and distributors. We have given instructions for that. If the police station in any area is not fulfilling its duties, I can deploy another police division, aside from that local police, to conduct these raids. Even this morning, I handed over raids in three locations to the Police Special Task Force (STF). Under no circumstances can the Police Department or the Police Special Task Force ignore any information they receive. We have prepared teams specifically for this purpose”, the minister said. 
The Minister also highlighted the long-standing links between the drug trade, organised crime and political influence, stating that narcotics trafficking had continued for decades with the backing of certain political elements. He claimed that the present administration had succeeded in breaking the connections between politicians, drug networks and underworld groups. 
Wijepala said a nationwide campaign has been launched to combat the drug menace, including the establishment of anti-drug councils at national and district levels, along with regional committees. He said that more than 14,000 public security committees have also been formed to work with communities and help protect young people from substance abuse. 
Rejecting criticism and allegations made against the government’s efforts, the Minister said the administration would not retreat from its anti-drug measures. He stressed that the law would be enforced equally against all individuals regardless of their position or influence. 
Wijepala said that eliminating drugs should not become a matter of political division and warned that no person would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.