Colombo. Organized by the Sri Lankan Chapter of the SAARC Journalists’ Forum, A seminar with the theme ‘Let’s create a healthy future’ was held at Manibay Women’s College in Jaffna On Monday 28th.
The seminar was inaugurated by Mr. S. Leo Nirosha Darshan, Assistant News Editor of Virakesari Newspaper, the Treasurer of SAARC Journalists Forum( SL Chapter) and Mrs. Suriyarasa, the principal of the college.
Mrs. Suriyarasa, the principal of the college who gave the opening speech at the event, pointed out that the rate of suicide of students who are in good condition in education has increased due to the lack of self-confidence of the young generation in today’s society, and emphasized the need to avoid drug habits and gang friendships which are the beginning of it.
He also expressed his gratitude and congratulations for starting the first drug awareness seminar with a social purpose by the SAARC Journalists Forum from his college.
Also in this seminar which was organized for students, Dr. M. Udayaseelan, Medical Officer of point Pedro Base Hospital, who participated as the main resource person, explained about the meaning of healthy life, the influencing factors in healthy life and how the young generation should make the right decisions for it.
Similarly, Jaffna University Department of Psychology Senior Lecturer and Doctor Mr. K. Gajavinthan gave advice on the decisions that can be taken at every moment of life. In addition to this, a model practice evaluation was also conducted by him to check the mindset of the students who participated in the seminar.
Journalist M. Manochitra of Virakesari Newspapers, who participated in the seminars, briefed the students with data on the current trend of drug abuse in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, according to the 2021 survey of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the total number of people arrested for drug offenses in Sri Lanka is 110 031, an increase of 13 percent compared to 2020.
While 46 percent of those arrested for drug offenses were for heroin-related offenses and 40 percent were arrested for cannabis-related offenses, it was also reported that most of those arrested for drug offenses were from the Western Province.
It was reported that the rate of drug users is 57 percent in the Western Province, 12 percent in the Southern Province, 7 percent in the Northern Province and 24 percent in other provinces. It was also clarified that while cannabis-related arrests have decreased slightly compared to the last 5 years, heroin-related arrests have shown an upward trend.
Not only that, the amount of drugs seized in the last 5 years, especially the amount of drugs seized in the Northern Province, their prices, and the increase in crime in the society due to drug use were clarified to the students.
While clarifying about drug production and trafficking, ‘Afghanistan is seen as a major drug producing country. Drugs are heavily trafficked from Afghanistan to Iran and Pakistan. Drugs are smuggled to Sri Lanka by sea and air from those countries.
Jaffna journalist M. Newton and Ilangeeran, the director of Jaffna Puthumai TV, also Support to Seminar.
