August 31, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities are reporting an apparent decline in the availability of illicit drugs, a development that is coinciding with a rise in the number of people voluntarily seeking treatment for substance dependence.
National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) Director of Treatment and Rehabilitation U.G. Shantha Gamage said officials had detected indications that illegal drugs were becoming harder to obtain in parts of the country. At the same time, rehabilitation services were experiencing increased demand from people attempting to overcome addiction.
Speaking at a media briefing on the Government’s “Ratama Ekata” national drug eradication initiative, Gamage said the growing number of treatment seekers was putting considerable strain on existing rehabilitation facilities. Many centres, he noted, do not currently have enough residential capacity to accommodate everyone seeking help.
The Government has been taking steps to address the shortfall. In April, Cabinet approval was given for six short-term treatment and rehabilitation centres following concerns that the country lacked sufficient residential facilities for people requiring structured treatment.
Authorities are also working to broaden access to rehabilitation as part of the wider campaign against drug abuse, with the increased demand highlighting the need for treatment services to expand alongside enforcement measures.
Meanwhile, Rajarata University Faculty of Applied Sciences Dean Dr Manoj Fernando raised concerns over the wider social and health impact of substance use. He said alcohol and drug consumption was estimated to be associated with between 80 and 100 deaths in Sri Lanka each day, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing public health authorities.
