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Anti-narcotic Societies in 100 WP Schools to conduct Prevention programmes
View(s):Hundred schools (100) in the Western Province (WP) have been selected to set up anti-narcotic societies in order to prevent schoolchildren from using dangerous drugs.
The programme commenced at an event held at the Royal College auditorium this week, with students from the 100 schools of the WP, participating.
National Dangerous Drugs & Control Board (NDDCB) Education & Information Officer, Kumudini Jayatilake said that all 100 schools will have an anti-narcotic society or a narcotic rescue committee, each comprising of 25 students and a few teachers. Most the schools are from the Colombo district, followed by Gampaha district.
Organised by the NDDCB, under the Ministry of Public Order, this project will empower schoolchildren to create awareness among other students on prevention and dangers of the use of narcotics.
She said over 20,000 students in the WP have been participating in the Board’s awareness programmes, and setting up societies and clubs will continue this awareness among schoolchildren.
Members of the societies were awarded badges and certificates this week. She said members are advised to wear the badge at all times and keep watch as well as educate fellow students.
WP recorded the highest number of drug related arrests. According to the NDDCB, 65,998 persons were arrested islandwide in 2013, of which 64% were from the WP. Colombo and Gampaha are the top two districts reporting the highest number of narcotic related arrests.
In 2013, 41 students between the ages of 15-19 were arrested with cannabis, while two teenagers were arrested with heroin. About 15,000 between the ages of 19-24 have been arrested with cannabis and heroin this year.
“Young adults who were arrested tell us that they were ignorant of dangerous drugs and had no prevention and awareness programmes during our school years,” she said.
(NF)