News
Narco menace puts schools on their toes
View(s):By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Parents and school authorities are being told to be vigilant about behavioural changes among children, and sellers of narcotics near schools, after a number of arrests were reported this week.
The Police Special Task Force arrested a man near a leading school in Thalawakelle, while selling ‘mawa’, an intoxicating chewable tobacco product banned by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act.
And a stock of more than 400 prescription medication pregabalin pills were confiscated in Nellukkulum in Vavuniya by STF officers. Two suspects aged 22 and 29, had frequently purchased these pills from dealers in Mannar and Jaffna and sold them to school students at Settikulum in Vavuniya.
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) warned that the narcotic industry, which usually targets those in their late teens, are now eyeing schoolchildren
The police said large stocks of prescription medication is entering the country via the sea in fishing boats, especially to Mannar and Jaffna, then being distributed island-wide.
Another arrest took place in the Milleniya police area, in which four suspects between 18 and 33 years were arrested for selling stimulant drug methamphetamine, or ‘ice’ and stimulant pills like ecstasy to school-goers in Horana and surrounding areas.
This week, several packets of ‘ice’ and other substances were also found in a school canteen in Malwathuhiripitiya area in Gampaha.
“The STF has increased arrests of sellers and smugglers than addicts. The supply or sale targeting schoolstudents should be prevented by increased vigilance,” STF Commander Waruna Jayasundara told the Sunday Times.
He requested parents to be on alert and school authorities to inform the nearest police station of suspicious activity.
According to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), 357 students between 15 and 19 years of age were arrested on narcotic-related offences. Out of this, 109 have received rehabilitation and treatment.
“It is clear that the narcotic industry, which usually targets those in their late teens, are now eyeing schoolchildren. The concern is the growing number of cases of ‘ice’ and psychotropic prescription medication addicts. Drug dealers target a few students to promote to peers,” said Bhadrani Senanayake, director (research) of the NDDCB. 
Initially, the narcotic threat among school children was very much Western-Province-centric. However, now it is spreading to rural areas, she said.
“Missing school work, feeling drowsy and extremely thirsty, losing focus, staring at a blank space for long, are some indications that the youngster may be taking some substance,” she said. Research on drug use among schoolchildren is to resume from next year, she said.
With ‘ice’ being costly (about Rs. 3,000 a day), many are resorting to prescription medication such as tramadol, diazepam, and pregabalin.
“Similar to cannabis, prescription medication is entering the country from India via the sea and sold illegally. While law enforcement bodies have to control the that the narcotic industry, which usually targets those in their late teens, are now eyeing schoolchildren entry and the distribution network, a national-level, strong, prevention mechanism is needed to avoid schoolchildren from falling prey to substance abuse,” she said.
She said laws have been tightened for those who possess dangerous drugs, under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drug Amendment Act of 2022 which was passed last month. Fines have been increased and drugs such as ‘ice’ have been recognised by the amendment.
Ms. Senanayake said only 295 kilos of ‘ice’ was seized in 2020. However, this increased to 13,720 kilos last year.
Education Minister Susil Premjayantha this week said a drug prevention programme at all 10,155 schools will begin from January 2.
“Not only in canteens, but vehicles involved in transporting school children will also undergo frequent checks. Schools will coordinate with area police officers and NDDCB officials to check canteens as well as shops surrounding school premises,’’ he said. “The Education Ministry has limited scope, but parents should be vigilant when children are attending tuition classes and extra-curricular activities.’’
Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said police stations have been told to be on alert on mobile traders and shops near schools. Intelligence officers will be deployed around schools.
(Additional reporting and pix by Sithum Chathuranga)
Recent stock of drugs seized in Mannar: Prescription medication is entering the country via the sea in fishing boats, especially to Mannar and Jaffna, then being distributed islandwide. Pix Sithum Chathuranga
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