International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking falls on June 26, each year with the theme of this year being “share facts on drugs, save lives”.
According to the data published by the research division of the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), (Handbook of drug abuse information in Sri Lanka 2020), in 2019 Cannabis had been the commonest illicit drug being used accounting 1.9 percent of the total population above 14 years.
Cannabis
Also, the highest number of drug related arrests in 2019 was for cannabis, out of which 46 percent of the cases were from the Western province.
Apart from disseminating data related to illicit drug use, the NDDCB plays a vital role in creating a “drug free nation- prosperous country”, the vision of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The NDDCB was established by the NDDCB Act no 11 of 1984. It is the institute that is envisioned to eradicate the drug menace from the country.
It is currently governed by the State ministry of State Security and Disaster Management headed by Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and the Secretary to the Ministry, General Kamal Gunaratne whose continuous guidance and unwavering support for the smooth operation of the NDDCB to provide a commendable service is witnessed and acknowledged.
Hotline
It is operated under various sub units that include The Treatment and Rehabilitation unit, Designated and Private Treatment Centre Unit, Outreach Unit, Preventive Education and Treatment unit, Precursor Control Authority Unit, the National Narcotic Laboratory unit, Research unit and Information Centre reachable on ‘1927’ (hot line).
The NDDCB has launched a 24-hour counseling hot line reachable on ‘1927’ in the year 2020 to provide counselling services online for those who are addicted to illicit drugs (Narcotics), and to their family members amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The drug addicts and their family members by calling 1927, which is operated in three languages (Sinhala, English, and Tamil), can obtain continuous counseling and intervention services.
It also provides information on the four designated treatment rehabilitation centres located in Nittambuwa, Thalangama, Galle and Kandy.
These centres provide services freely to the drug addicts who admit voluntarily and who are referred by parents, relatives, friends, courts, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Services
It’s also worthy a fact that some of the clients are referred by addicts who had been rehabilitated and recovered after the services at these treatment centres.
These addicts are treated scientifically by qualified and acclaimed counseling officers and counseling assistants. The target of the NDDCB is to rehabilitate drug addicts to integrate them into the society as productive citizens.
The NDDCB also provides group counselling to drug addicts reinforcing their personalities alongside giving intricate attention to individual mental health and the microenvironment of the person.
They are also referred to Consultant Psychiatrists for further assessment which gives a scientific and methodical approach for sustainable recovery.
After successful treatment and rehabilitation and ensuing integration into the society, they are continuously assessed, ensuring quality care. The Outreach Unit of the NDDCB plays an exceptional role in follow up of such clients as well as expanding the service of NDDCB to provincial levels.
The Outreach Unit provides services to the affected clients, families and vulnerable groups in the society by conducting community based programs with the help of governmental organisations and even Non-Governmental Organisations inclusive of Lion Clubs, Leo Clubs and so on.
Apart from the Outreach and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Units, Preventive Education and the Training unit performs a highly commendable task especially during a pandemic hit era.
This unit conducts educational awareness programs targeting various categories of the population including academic staff and students of government, private and international schools, vocational training centres, Sunday schools, universities, government and private work places.
Supply
The aim of this unit is to reduce the demand of the narcotics/illicit drugs and thereby automatically reduce the supply to the country.
The Designated and Private Treatment Center Unit supervises and provides special directions to the centres to ensure quality management.
Private licencee treatment centres are under frequent surveillance of this unit and provides information to the NDDCB for renewals or terminations of the license depending on the deviation or acceptance of the regulations provided by NDDCB.
The National Narcotic Lab (NLL) is the heart of the NDDCB and is a leading laboratory in Sri Lanka which provides information for implementation of scientific and evidence based programs for prevention and treatment.
The NLL is tasked with an enormous task and national responsibility in reducing morbidity and mortality of road traffic accidents by facilitating spot tests to detect the usage of drugs among drivers and also in facilitating the issuing of driving licence from the Motor and Traffic Department. It also provides for scientific intelligence services.
Justice
Apart from the said contributions, NLL also gives evidence to ensure and promote criminal justice.
The research division is responsible for dissemination of the collected data and information scientifically so as to help upgrade the existing legal framework and policies. This unit maintains drug abuse monitoring systems based on the data collected.
A Precursor Control Authority of the NDDCB by giving licence, controls diversion of precursor chemicals for production of illicit drugs by issuing valid licence while scrutinising the proper records. It ensures that the imported precursor chemicals are used only for the designed product by close surveillance.
As the Chairperson of this prestigious board which performs multiple tasks to make generations free from drugs, I am humbly happy to contribute to make this country a “drug free nation and prosperous country” as a team member under the umbrella of NDDCB.
I also take this as an opportunity to request all readers to disseminate our hotline ‘1927.’
1927 is our hotline and it is never too late to make the call. All of the questions will be answered, and the information received could be life-saving.
Addiction is a disorder that can affect anyone. You will not be judged, and you can call as many times as you need. Supportive individuals are standing by to assist you readily.
As the Chairperson of NDDCB, I would re-iterate the primacy of education in relation to drugs to save lives. This education can play a counterbalancing role in shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation, and informed decision making.