Anti-Tobacco and Drugs Act in the offing

by Maneshka Borham

The National Dangerous Drugs and Devices Control Board (NDDCB) is awaiting the approval for the proposed Anti-Tobacco and Drugs Act by the Attorney General to tackle the issue of tobacco- based drugs being sold to school children and youth, Chairman of the board Dr. Ravindra Fernando said.

“Even though these individuals are arrested by the police they are later released by the courts as the sale of tobacco or related products is not illegal in Sri Lanka” he said adding that the new law will provide the police and the legal system, the necessary power to apprehend and penalize individuals caught selling tobacco-based drugs to school children, a problem the authorities in recent times have been struggling to curb.

Meanwhile, the NDDCB is to conduct a national survey on illicit drug use and health next year. According to Dr. Ravindra Fernando, the survey will be conducted to gather accurate information regarding drug abuse in Sri Lanka. The survey, he said hoped to provide the government with national level data on tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs including the use of prescription drugs for non medical purposes.

“Currently the statistics in our possession are not 100 percent accurate” he said adding that this is because drug abuse and related activities happen mostly in secret.

According Dr. Fernando for example while the NDDCB claims that there are around 45, 000 heroin users in the country, and the organizationwais not certain if this number is the exact figure. “The numbers we have gathered are through police records available and other sources. We have are only estimates” he said adding that a survey was necessary to get a better picture of the drug abuse situation in the country.

The NDDCB will also investigate claims that drugs confiscated by the Police are making their way back into the market through various means. “We have received complaints in this regard” he said adding that the NDDCB will gather information from the courts regarding the confiscation of drugs and as to how it is being destroyed as the incinerator established for the purpose in no longer functioning.