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.