Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)
Copyright: 2005 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.sundayobserver.lk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2993
Author: Jayampathy Jayasinghe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

POLICE INTENSIFY CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUGS

A large quantity of heroin is still smuggled into the country through 
Talaimannar and some of it enter through the coastal belt. Most heroin is 
smuggled from India, said the Police Narcotics Bureau Director, SSP Ananda 
Hettiarchchi marking Anti-Narcotics week which commences today June 26 
through July 2.

Police will intensify its campaign against heroin and narcotics during this 
period according to a directive given by the IGP. "During this period mass 
scale detections will be conducted by the police islandwide and steps will 
be taken to destroy Cannabis plantations in Uva and Southern province." he 
said.

Meanwhile the National Dangerous Drug Control Board, the police Narcotics 
Bureau (PNB) and several NGO's have planned awareness programs to educate 
youth on ill effects of drug addiction. The PNB will conduct seminars and 
lectures at schools in Colombo and in suburbs in addition to what has been 
planned by local police stations.

It has been found that eighty seven percent of persons treated for drug 
abuse came from the Western province and 68 percent from Colombo district. 
This was followed by Southern and North -Western provinces.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom