Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jan 2012
Source: Daily News (Sri Lanka)
Copyright: 2012 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.dailynews.lk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5310

CONTAINING THE HARD DRUGS INFLOW

If hard drugs are continuing to flow into Sri Lanka, the inescapable 
conclusion is that there is a considerable demand for them in this 
country. This is discomforting news but that is the harsh reality.

The prisons are chockfull of those who have been convicted of 
drug-related offences and the news is that there has been no decrease 
in the rate of hard drugs-linked detections. In fact, we are given to 
understand that last year, 38 kilograms of heroin were seized and 
some 14,000 or more persons were arrested in connection with hard 
drugs related offences.

Hard drug abuse and related issues constitute a very knotty problem 
and unraveling it is unlikely to prove easy on account of its complex 
dimensions. However, it is more than two years since the number one 
narco-terrorist group, the LTTE, was crushed and one would have 
expected a diminishing somewhat of the hard drug abuse problem with 
the demise of the Tigers, but this does not seem to be the case. 
While, the LTTE was a predominant factor in Sri Lanka-centred drug 
trafficking over 25 years or more, since the proceeds from drug sales 
were used to replenish LTTE war coffers, there are apparently more 
causes, that operate independent of the Tiger war machine, which are 
keeping the drug trade going in the South Asian region and outside.

There is a criminal underworld in this country which is closely 
bound-up with drug abuse which must be crushed completely if a 
substantial dent is to be made in the hard drug issue. This is 
already being done by the law enforcement authorities and concerned 
sections would like to see a stepping-up of this process. There needs 
to be an all out offensive on these drug traffickers and their 
backers and it is when the back is broken completely of these 
seemingly powerful backers that the drug menace could be stopped in 
its tracks a good deal.

We hope some dramatic progress would be made in this direction in the 
days ahead. We need to get at the primary factors that feed the drug 
blight and unless and until these factors are located and eliminated, 
the struggle to stamp out the drug cancer would continue.

This calls for a rigorous law and order approach to the problem. In 
the past, the governmental authorities took the fight back to the 
criminal underworld in a most decided fashion and this effort must 
continue unrelentingly until the drug Mafias and their backers are 
completely eliminated. There could be no let-up in the offensive.

Meanwhile, the appeal of hard drugs needs to eliminated from the 
hearts and minds of those who are unfortunate enough to come under 
their sway. For instance, the young need to be constantly watched 
over and protected from the evil and its traffickers.

All vulnerable groups need to be educated and re-educated on the 
blight which is hard drug abuse. While schools and educational 
institutions should play a lead role in this task, a considerable 
part of the responsibility to protect these vulnerable sections 
should be shouldered by parents and elders too.

The youngsters are not few in number who consider it 'smart' and 
'chic' to sport a glass of liquor and a cigarette in public. If these 
injudicious habits go unchecked, the chances are that they would 
'graduate' to hard drug abuse. Therefore, the adult world should take 
it on itself to guide the youngsters of this country towards healthy 
lifestyles by shunning drug abuse and by leading by example. Besides, 
the more than ample religious institutions in this land should come 
out more openly against drug abuse and ensure that young minds are 
filled with only those things that lead to wholesome living.

The problem of hard drug abuse has also international ramifications. 
Over the years, Sri Lanka has turned into a virtual transit point for 
drug trafficking in this region.

Close geographical proximity of Sri Lanka to notorious manufacturing 
centres of these heinous drugs in Asia and to some theatres of war 
and conflict which facilitate the drug trade, have proved important 
factors in drug trafficking penetrating our borders.

Thus, the menace calls also for a vigorous regional approach for its 
elimination. Hopefully, the relevant regional state agencies are 
cognizant of these dimensions and are already pooling their resources 
and expertise to address the issue. Besides, SAARC should lose no 
time in containing the menace, since it embodies the legitimate hopes 
and aspirations of this region. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D