UNODC pledges further support for rehabilitation of drug addicts

December 11, 2020

Raising concerns into the government’s initiatives to curb drug menace and to rehabilitate the drug addicts while reintegrating into the society, the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) pledged a further commitment of USD 100,000 assuring its fullest support, at the Defence Ministry, today (Dec 11).

Mr. Troels Vester, Head of Office of the UNODC for Sri Lanka and Maldives and Mr. Alan Cole, Head of Global Maritime Crime Program of UNODC assured their commitment during a meeting held with the Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at the Ministry accordingly.

The UNODC’s commitment was meant for the infrastructure development for the government’s rehabilitation initiatives led through National Dangerous Drugs Control Board under the purview of the Defence Ministry.

The UNODC initially aided USD 150,000 for the fully-fledged rehabilitation centre, which is being constructed in Nittambuwa namely ‘Nawa Diganthaya’.

‘Nawa Diganthaya’ is intended to rehabilitate nearly 1,000 drug addicts and the constructions are now underway.

Further, the UNODC officials also held discussions with the Defence Secretary on matters of mutual interest including the strengthening of its cooperation.