PARLIAMENT

• Attention of the Committee to prevent the promotion of drug addiction through media.     
• A proposal from the Leader of Opposition to eliminate the drug menace with the signatures of all 225 Members of Parliament.
• Clarification is needed on taxes received by the government from the sale of tobacco and alcohol – A decision to summon necessary officials before the Committee.

Health experts stated during the meeting of the parliamentary special committee that three times the money the government earns from cigarettes and alcohol is spent on the treatment of drug addicts.

This was taken up for discussion at the Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard held recently Chaired by Hon. Tiran Alles.

Organizations and officials working for the prevention of drug menace were summoned for this discussion in order to obtain suggestions and ideas for the immediate control and eradication of the drug menace that is spreading rapidly in the country.

Addressing the Committee, the officials pointed out that since 1997, the government and various parties have published many reports containing various suggestions and ideas for drug menace control and elimination.

All those ideas and suggestions are suitable for the present and it is necessary to implement the presented ideas and suggestions on a practical level, the officials pointed out.

The health experts pointed out that it was possible to reduce the use of cigarettes in the country due to the protests which arose from within the society.

It was also disclosed at the Committee that if illegal drugs are found in a certain police area, a mechanism should be prepared so that the police officer in charge of that area should be held accountable. It was also stated that there is a need to consider the actions taken by that officer to control the drug menace for the salary increase and promotion offered to the said police officer.

The Leader of Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa pointed out the importance of passing a resolution through the parliament to eliminate the drug menace with the signatures of all 225 Members of Parliament. There was a discussion at length regarding the effectiveness of the message that can be set out through it.

The officials pointed out to the Committee that the promotion of drug addiction through media is going on strongly and it directly and indirectly affects the control of drug addiction.

Officials who presented facts before the Committee pointed out that by increasing the price of cigarettes and alcohol, the age limit for the temptation to use them will increase and to prevent the temptation to use drugs, the importance of implementing programs that lose mental interest. Moreover, the importance of meeting once in 6 months with all the drug prevention organizations in the country to meet and discuss the current situation and the actions to be taken was also discussed.

It was disclosed before the Committee that at present, a process of directing people to use drugs is working in a very indirect manner. Accordingly, the Committee Member, State Minister Hon. (Dr.) (Mrs.) Seetha Arambepola, instructed the officials to provide them with the necessary information to take the necessary actions immediately.

Also, it was decided that an explanation is needed regarding the tax income received by the government from the sale of cigarettes and alcohol and the diversity of the tasks of re-applying those taxes, and it was decided to call the necessary officials before the committee in the future.

The most venerable clergy, Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament Hon. Buddhika Pathirana, Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. (Dr.) Gayashan Nawananda, Hon. (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, Hon. Asanka Navaratne and Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, Hon. (Dr.) Thilak Rajapakshe, Hon. Waruna Liyanage with the permission of the Chair were  present at the Committee meeting held.