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National Week against drug abuse in Jaffna

The Lions Club of Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte in collaboration with Sri Lanka Federation of NGOs Against Drug Abuse (SLOFONGOADA) and the active support of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) successfully launched the National Week against Drug abuse at the Alfred Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna on Sunday, June 23.

This function which was attended by many government officials and leading social workers in Jaffna had an attendance of around 3,500 students. Brochures and stickers specially printed in the Tamil language were distributed among the participants.

The President of SLFONGOADA, Shirley Tissera said that the Minister of Interior John Amaratunga had declared this entire week as the "National Week Against Drug Abuse" although the United Nations has set aside June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse. He said that all NGOs working the field of Prevention of Drug abuse are greatly encouraged by the interest shown by the Minister and also his sincere desire to get NGOs involved in National Programs. There are many programs planned for the week, but for the first time this National Program is being launched from Jaffna. This is very significant.

Tissera said taht with the long awaited peace is showing signs of being a reality. It is very necessary that the youth of Jaffna are made aware of the other social evils that prey on youth, and one such is the dangers of drug abuse which is the scourge of youth not only in Sri Lanka, but also internationally.

In addition to health and social implications of drug abuse, the economic implications are also severe. In Sri Lanka alone, a sum of over Rs. 1 billion is spent on illicit drugs.

This money could be well spent on development programs which will benefit our youth as well as our country. He requested the youth present to take this message to their homes and their friends so that they could play an active part in keeping their community drug free. Lion U. B. Wijekoon, former Cabinet Minister and President of the Lions Club of Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte and Lion Linton Jayaweera Secretary also spoke.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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