The Hon. Ananda Wijepala

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, to curb supply we deploy the Tri-Forces, Police and STF for raids. On demand reduction, we have mobilized society through a structured programme. Under the leadership of the President, a National Council for Drug Control has been established; at district level, District Councils function via District Secretariats; at divisional level, Divisional Committees via Divisional Secretariats; and at village level, about 14,000 Public Security Committees are integrated.

¶ 02 Arrests of traffickers and distributors continue with the Police and STF. Users are not targeted for incarceration; instead, they are referred for rehabilitation and treatment. Awareness programmes are conducted from school level through State and non-State organizations and institutions.

¶ 03 For rehabilitation, 25 district-based centres are being established; about 12 are already operational. Two halfway homes are functioning in Mihintale and Ampara; a women’s centre is operating in Colombo District. Funds are being allocated to establish centres in every district, with two more to open in March. The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board has trained about 250 counsellors to assess user levels and determine whether home-based rehabilitation, 14-day halfway care, six-month rehabilitation, or hospital treatment is required. This comprehensive programme aims to reduce both supply and demand nationwide.