Pilot project launched to crackdown on narcotics & drug rackets

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A pilot project was launched today (August 19) within the Northern range of the Western Province to mobilize all law enforcement agencies to crack down on narcotics and drug rackets. The event saw the participation of the Inspector General of Police - Pujith Jayasundara, DIG in charge of Western Province North - Deshabandu Thennakoon and the Deputy Director of Drug Prevention Unit - Sajeewa Medawantha. The project aims to decrease narcotics within the island by 40% within the next three months. The project launched today saw the introduction of three hotlines dedicated towards reporting drug rackets and scandals. The project which envisions to clampdown on drugs from the grassroots level also plans on rehabilitating drug addicts. According to the police they have already drawn up plans to rehabilitate 500 drug addicts. The project draws support from rural-based anti-narcotic committees inclusive of nearly 2000 members. Accordingly, the three hotlines are 0713690001 (Negombo), 0713210001 (Gampaha) and 0713580001 (Kelaniya)