A shocking increase in the use of narcotics has been observed by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) as 67,900 people had been arrested in connection to narcotic related crimes between January and October last year.
“52% of the arrestees had been apprehended for the possession of heroin and 37% of them were arrested for cannabis related crimes”, said NDDCB’s Director General Bhadrani Senanayake.
She added that a total of 6,728 individuals had been taken into custody for the possession of methamphetamine ( commonly known as ‘ice’) during the eight month period.
“When taking these to account, a considerable amount of use and spread of heroin, cannabis and methamphetamine is observed in the country,” explained the Director General of the NDDCB.
She further commented on the inadequacy of facilities to rehabilitate drug addicts.
She added that although there have been atleast 100,000 heroin addicts and 350,000 cannabis addicts in Sri Lanka only 4000 of them turn up for treatments and rehabilitation.
“Even though there are Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations operating treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, the facilities at these establishments are insufficient for female drug addicts,” Senanayake concluded.
Source By themorning.lk
