Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jun 2004
Source: Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)
Copyright: 2004 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.sundayobserver.lk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2993
Author: Shanika Sriyananda
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

NEW PROJECT TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

With the increasing number of criminal cases reported due to substance 
abuse, the first ever National Volunteer Project (NVF), under the guidance 
of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, was set up yesterday to 
form a strong 'force' on divisional level to combat the high rate of 
addiction to harmful substances - alcohol, tobacco and chemical substances 
like ganja and heroin.

This project has been implemented under the government's programme for the 
control of crime and drug related offences as outlined in the UPFA 
manifesto including prisons reforms, control of violence, drug and alcohol 
use with special attention to children. The President's Fund has allocated 
Rs. 2 million for the project.

Its main objectives are, the reduction of the number of prison inmates 
convicted for drug related offences, reduction of social costs of substance 
abuse and formation of motivated young volunteers.

The NVP was implemented by the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute with the 
assistance of the Prisons Department, Sri Lanka Prisoners' Welfare 
Association and the other Non-Governmental Organisations. The project - 
'Mathin Thorawe - rata perata' - will continue its prevention activities 
throughout the year and 50 divisional secretaries have been selected under 
the first phase. Fifty community volunteers will be given a training under 
a group of volunteer specialists in the field of drug abuse rehabilitation 
and the science of behavioral changes.

Its main aim is to formulate a long-term action plan for the prevention of 
substance abuse and rehabilitation of victims, which will continue 
irrespective of political change in the country.Under this project, civil 
society and state sector officials in the police, government departments, 
schools, health care institutes including doctors and nurses, grama 
niladharis, samurdhi officials and religious dignitaries will take part in 
prevention activities and awareness programmes drawn in each divisional 
secretary.
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