Pubdate: Mon, 06 Feb 2012
Source: Daily News (Sri Lanka)
Copyright: 2012sThe Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.dailynews.lk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5310
Author: Disna Mudalige

CANNABIS MISUSE ON THE RISE

Fifty two percent increase in cannabis related arrests during 2010
compared to 2009:

Present trends indicate an increase in the misuse of cannabis, the
latest Handbook of Drug Abuse Information issued by the National
Dangerous Drugs Control Board said.

According to statistics of the handbook, there had been a 52 percent
increase in cannabis related arrests during 2010 compared to 2009.

Around 20,259 persons had been arrested for cannabis related offences
in 2010 while this number was 13,300 in 2009.

The total number of drug related arrests were 29,796 in
2010.

Among this, 9,520 were arrested for heroin related offences, 12 for
hashish related offences, one for cocaine related offences and four
for psychotropic substances related offences.

Cannabis is the only plant (drug) cultivated illicitly in Sri Lanka.
The estimated land area under cannabis cultivation is nearly 500
hectares, according to information in the handbook.

Observations on seized cannabis cultivations imply that modern
agricultural methods are being used for this.

It also stated that the highest number of cannabis cases (26 percent)
were reported from Colombo district followed by Gampaha (nine percent)
and Hambantota (eight percent). The quantity of cannabis seized
countrywide was 114,390 kgs in 2010, where as this amount was 84,605
kgs in 2009.

Fifty eight percent arrested for cannabis related offences were aged
30 or above.

The handbook also revealed that there is a risk of heroin use
spreading to remote towns and rural areas though it was initially
confined to Colombo city and few provincial towns.

Heroin is smuggled into the island by fishing boats or by couriers
posing as tourists. In 2010, 142 kgs of heroin were seized and 9,520
persons arrested.

The handbook also revealed that during the last five years, 58
foreigners were arrested in Sri Lanka for drug related offences
including 25 Pakistanis, four Indians and six Maldivians.

It also said that the reported number of clients treated for drug
abuse countrywide was 2,411 in 2010.

The majority were treated at Treatment Centres of National Dangerous
Drugs Control Board.
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MAP posted-by: Matt