Govt committed to free young generation from drug menace

President Maithripala Sirisena said that a National Program on Drug Prevention will be carried out with a new outlook next year to eradicate the drug menace among the young generation in the country..

“The attention of everybody should be paid to free the young generation from drug menace. The government will fulfill any duty in this regard”, he said.

The President was speaking at the 7th phase of the National Program on Drug Prevention, held yesterday at the Playground of the Ananda National School in Puttalam.

The 7th phase of the National Drug Prevention Program , which was held in Putlam District, included a large number of programs for drug prevention, organized by the Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention.

President Sirisena further stated that the National Drug Prevention Programs will be held in every district by the end of this year.

"A programme will implement in the future to  present awards to the officers who are involved in  illegal drug raids honour them as  heroes," President said. Steps will be taken in the future to further strengthen the initiatives taken to raise awareness to prevent drug use among the public.

He further said that politicians should be exemplary to the society in this regard and the state officials and the public also must proactively contribute to this task, he added.

The President presented awards to the officers in  the Sri Lanka Police, Excise Department, Civil Security Department , Puttalam Health Education Office , felicitating their contribution towards the prevention of drug menace in the Puttalam district. He also presented awards to the representatives of the civil society as well as to the regional journalists.

The President also presented awards to the winners of the short stories and art competitions on prevention of drug menace. A scroll containing thousand signatures regarding prevention of drug presented to the President during the event.