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| Sunday, 26 May 2002 |
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Prison
camp turns over a new leaf
by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE Boossa Prison Camp will be turned into a drug rehabilitation centre shortly with assistance from State and other non-governmental organisations, to isolate hardcore criminals from offenders convicted of drug-related offences, Interior Minister John Amaratunga said. Addressing a media conference at the Defence Ministry, to officially announce the launching of a "Drug Prevention Week" from June 26 to 30 aimed at cracking down on drug users and peddlers as a part of the programme connected with the "International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" which falls on June 26. Minister Amaratunga said that his Ministry has decided to transform the Boossa camp into a rehabilitation centre with facilities for treatment. According to estimates around 300-500 prisoners convicted of drug-related offences will be transferred to the centre. The Minister said that steps will be taken to transfer prisoners convicted of drug related offences to Boossa for rehabilitation purposes. He said 40 percent of the prisoners languishing in jails have been convicted for drug related offensses. "Once the Boossa Centre begins its work, an opportunity will be given to personnel from other NGOs to get involved in the rehabilitation work. We are looking at providing accommodation to the clergy and other religious dignitaries planning to visit the prison", the Minister said. Interior Ministry's Secretary, A. Junaid said that they wish to appeal to all international and local NGOs to provide assistance to eradicate the drug menace in Sri Lanka. Dr. (Mrs.) Hiranthi Wijemanne of the UNICEF said although several drug prevention programs were available at schools and other places, culprits dealing in drugs are found in street corners, slums and in shanties. Due to inadequate law enforcement most drug prevention programmes have been jeopardised. She urged the police to take up more and more drug cases. According to Acting I. G. P., T. E. Anandarajah the total quantity of heroin detected for the first quarter of 2002 was 22.6 kilograms. Last year the Police detected the biggest quantity of heroin when they seized a consignment of heroin weighing 38 kilograms at the Chilaw beach. However two foreign drug traffickers who brought the "stuff" in a boat managed to slip the dragnet after jettisoning heroin on the beach. Police have sought the assistance of the INTERPOL agency in Paris and the Indian Narcotics Bureau to apprehend the suspects. Meanwhile a survey carried out by the Dangerous Drug Control Board had found that there are 40,000 heroin addicts in Sri Lanka. In 1999 the total amount of heroin detected in Sri Lanka was 68 kilograms. According to Prison records, 43 persons have been sentenced to death including a female, while 62 persons including 9 foreigners and 8 females have been sentenced to serve a life imprisonment since 1994. Police say that drug trafficking and drug use have become a globalised business affecting developing countries. According to Police Narcotics Bureau, Sri Lanka has become a major transit point for heroin to Europe and other Western destinations due to her close geographical proximity to the "Golden Triangle and the Golden Crescent" where poppy growing areas are located. A large quantity of heroin enters Sri Lanka by sea routes where smugglers use mechanized fishing craft to smuggle it from the South Indian ports and unload them on Sri Lankas north western and western coasts. Heroin is smuggled through towns in the coastal belt viz Mannar, Dehiwela, Amabalangoda by organised crime syndicates. According to reports drugs concealed in containers are also trans-shipped through the Port of Colombo. It has been found that 90 percent of the heroin smuggled to Sri Lanka and Europe belong to the brown sugar variety. However good quality heroin identified as the white stuff manufactured in the Golden Triangle region is smuggled mainly into U.S.A. Heroin smuggling operation is carried out by criminal gangs affiliated to powerful drug cartels in the world. The following quantities of heroin have been detected for the following years. Year 2000-94 kg, 1999-68 kg, 1998- 56 kg, 1997-55 kg, 1996-40 kg. The Drug Control Board's Chairman, Dr. Ravindra Fernando said that several persons and agencies involved in drug prevention will be honoured at a national award ceremony in June. Meanwhile the Drug Control Board in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) will reward personnel in the following categories, including the best police stations, best police teams, best district secretaries area, best community group, best rehabilitation camp in prison department, best excise team, best customs team, best schools, best navy camp/unit, best army camp/unit, best air force camp/unit best Isuru Club, HIV/Aids Control Program Unit, the Chennai Police. A banner and a poster campaign will also be launched to counter the spread of drugs. |
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