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Drug abuse and mental ill-health

The week that was focused on two important problems which have been holding Sri Lanka in their grip for quite sometime: the widespread abuse of hard drugs and increasing mental illnesses and emotional instability.

There is a close link between the grave malaises because increasing emotional turmoil among vulnerable groups, exposes them to the risk of hard drug abuse. This is particularly true of some sections of our youth, although mental illnesses are no respector of age or generation.

Commenting on hard drug abuse, President Kumaratunga had this to say: "We know that the youth are not wilful perpetrators of crime. Neither do they become addicts out of choice... They are only victims of a wider social crisis that our society is going through for which we are also responsible". Very illuminating words indeed. A wider social crisis forms the backdrop to these problems currently ravaging Lankan society: Hard drug abuse and rising mental ill-health.

Yes, there is a grave anomaly in the adult world pointing an accusing finger at our youth, for the propensity among some of them to contract evils such as drug abuse. In a highly commercialized world which is showing a penchant for individualism, selfishness and cut-throat competition for those that are considered the good things in life, our youths tend to be neglected by some of their parents and elders. Is it surprising that these neglected youths pursue the chimerical thrills and suicidal pleasures of drug abuse?

Likewise, the same social tendencies, gravitate vulnerable persons from all age groups towards mental ill-health. In a selfish world even most adults tend to feel neglected. This is particularly true of the ageing segment of the population. Such a sense of alienation could lead to mental ill-health.

Speaking at a Sahanaya-connected event, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, drew our attention to this aspect of mounting ill-health. Decreasing social consolidation and cooperation breeds emotional instability.

These observations need to alert all sections to the grave crises affecting Lankan society. There is more than meets the eye here. The State as well as the people need to think of how best they could balance their interests, so that Lankan society would continue to be based on humanity and not avarice and greed.

A new Iraq

Iraq is now back in the hands of Iraqis. The US-led coalition formally ended its 14-month occupation of Iraq yesterday, handing power to a caretaker government two days earlier than expected.

There have been many tumultuous events since the war began on March 20, 2003, including the deaths of Saddam's sons and Saddam's capture by US Forces. But the violent campaign against the coalition forces continues unabated. Hundreds of soldiers, civilians and militants have been killed in these attacks.

Ending the insurgency and restoring law and order to a war-torn nation remains the biggest challenge for the interim government.

Iraq's interim foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari is confident that they would be able to fulfil this objective. "I think we will do a better job, I can promise you, than our coalition friends so far," Zebari has told BBC radio. Accordingly, new security measures are likely to be announced soon.

The interim administration led by President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and Chief Justice Medhat Mahmud must do their utmost to ensure a peaceful Iraq before the elections, slated to be held before January 31, 2005. The new Iraqi leaders have pledged to hold elections in a reasonable, acceptable security conditions or atmosphere.

The new Iraqi Government must create a conducive climate for nascent democratic parties to flourish and contest a free and fair election. The United Nations and the international community must help the new Iraq to restore democratic traditions and become a fully-fledged player in the global political arena. Most countries severed diplomatic relations with Iraq when it invaded Kuwait in 1990. These ties must be restored and any sanctions lifted.

The interim government must also grapple with the issue of Saddam and other prisoners. There is a widespread debate on his fate - especially whether he deserves the ultimate punishment. These are matters for the Iraqi people to decide.

As Iraq prepares to forget the past and face a new future, the Allies must ponder their actions. The prime reason for going to war - the alleged existence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) - will be debated for decades to come. No WMDs have been found in Iraq.

There is also no conclusive evidence of links between Saddam's regime and Osama bin Laden's al-Queda terrorist network. Obviously, there have been colossal intelligence failures on the part of Allies.

The Iraqi people have experienced untold hardships all these years. We must applaud their resilience and encourage them as they search for peace and prosperity.

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