REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR RELEASED DRUG ADDICTS

COLOMBO (News 1st): A special programme is being implemented to rehabilitate drug addicts who are released from prisons, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board said. The country's drugs control body, made this statement as the State Ministry of Prison Management and Prisoners Rehabilitation has released 10,065 inmates to reduce the congestion in prisons in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic; where, according to State Minister Lohan Ratawatte, 60 percent were inmates charged for offences related to narcotics (for more details). A decision was reached to increase the present capacity of 1500 inmates that can undergo rehabilitation at centres, to 4000, Dr. Laknath Welagedara (Specialist), the Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board told News 1st on Saturday (Jan. 09). "The rehabilitation process includes a community treatment system for mild drug abusers, where they are treated within the society, by being referred to counsellors and doctors assigned for the purpose in their respective residential areas," Dr. Laknath Welagedara elaborated. According to Dr. Welagedara, for those who are heavily dependent on the use of narcotics, in-house treatment will be conducted adding a registration process in this regard is underway. Moreover, a new rehabilitation centre is currently being established in Nittambuwa, where close to 1000 drug addicts can undergo rehabilitation. At present, there are four rehabilitation centres operated by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board; while the Senapura and Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centres operated by the Bureau of the Commissioner-General of Rehabilitation are also involved in the rehabilitation process of drug addicts, Dr. Welagedara further noted.