Awareness Programmes

In accordance with the action plan developed to prevent schoolchildren from engaging in the use of illicit drugs, this Division has issued instructions that each office shall conduct two (02) school student awareness programmes per month.

Accordingly, the Offices for the Coordination of Economic, Social and Welfare Activities of Rehabilitated Persons organise these programmes within their respective jurisdictions in a manner that does not disrupt school academic activities, after obtaining approval from the relevant school principal.
(For the conduct of these programmes, the school principal is required to obtain approval from the Provincial Department of Education.)
In addition, light refreshments are provided for students participating in the programme.

For the implementation of these school awareness programmes, resource support is obtained from District Drug Education Officers of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, as well as medical officers attached to the Mental Health Units of hospitals in the relevant areas.

Objectives

To develop positive attitudes and life skills among students
To enhance students’ ability to directly reject negative behaviours and harmful thoughts
To encourage the use of foresight and sound judgement in decision-making
To identify and correct misconceptions held by students regarding the subject matter
To highlight the consequences of drug use
To enable students to convey anti-drug messages within their families
To scientifically explain the physical and psychological effects of drug use on the human body
To help students understand the true nature of drugs without being misled by commercial advertising

Awareness programmes for public officers are conducted with the aim of preventing and reducing illicit drug use and controlling the spread of drugs within society.

These programmes are organised upon receiving a written request from the heads of relevant public institutions. A date and time are scheduled, and the programmes are conducted with the resource contribution of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

Objectives

To minimise the recurrence of drug use among rehabilitated individuals
To raise public awareness regarding the rehabilitation process
To educate participants on counselling and treatment methods available for restoring individuals with substance dependence to a stable condition
To foster a drug-free youth population
To enhance awareness among rehabilitated persons and the community regarding the dangers of drug use
To raise awareness of the physical, psychological, social and economic impacts of drug abuse
To safeguard the efficiency and integrity of the public service
To emphasise the importance of preventive awareness, as many public institutions maintain regular interaction with the community
To promote preventive anti-drug messaging through public officers
To enable the organisation of large-scale drug prevention programmes with the support of Grama Niladhari and field officers
To maintain a broad institutional understanding of rehabilitation-related projects implemented by Divisional Secretariats and higher-level public institutions

As illicit drugs affect the entire community, community awareness programmes on drug prevention are organised from rural villages to urban areas with the objective of minimising and preventing the spread of drug use throughout society. These programmes are implemented with the collaboration of Grama Niladhari officers and field officers.

As an initial step, Grama Niladhari and field officers attached to Divisional Secretariats are made aware of drug prevention under the Public Officer Awareness Programme. Subsequently, they identify high-priority areas and assist in mobilising community members to organise awareness programmes at the community level.

Objectives

To reduce the further spread of drug use among rehabilitated individuals
To raise community awareness regarding the rehabilitation process
To explain the rehabilitation process and the procedures for admitting individuals to rehabilitation programmes
To educate the community on caring for rehabilitated persons and facilitating their proper social reintegration
To reduce vulnerability to misleading commercial promotions
To strengthen family institutions and promote family development
To highlight the economic, social and physical devastation caused by drug abuse
To explain appropriate methods for early withdrawal from drug use at the initial stage
To refer broken or distressed families to counselling services and other relevant institutions

These programmes are implemented to prevent and reduce personal and family-related problems arising among individuals who have been rehabilitated following drug use, as well as among those currently engaged in substance use.

Counselling services are provided by counselling officers attached to the Offices for the Coordination of Economic, Social and Welfare Activities of Rehabilitated Persons. In offices where such officers are not available, support is obtained from Senior Psychological Counsellors attached to the Department of Social Services, as well as District Counselling Officers of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

Objectives

To provide guidance for resolving physical and mental health issues
To assist broken or distressed families in resolving issues through counselling and awareness
To support individuals in disengaging from antisocial activities
To assist individuals in improving their quality of life
To support the development of personal skills and capacities
To facilitate social acceptance and reintegration as productive and responsible citizens

These programmes target individuals who have engaged in illicit drug use for the first time, as well as those who have relapsed after rehabilitation.

Support is obtained from District Drug Education Officers of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. Where appropriate, rehabilitated individuals who are successfully reintegrated into society after drug use are also engaged as resource persons.

Objectives

To prevent re-involvement in illicit trafficking and antisocial activities
To strengthen family institutions
To safeguard children and protect household economic stability
To refer individuals to rehabilitation programmes and other appropriate treatment methods
To promote economic awareness and explain the legal framework relating to drug use

These programmes are implemented by the Offices for the Coordination of Economic, Social and Welfare Activities of Rehabilitated Persons, with lecture and training support provided by officers attached to the Prevention Education and Training Division of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.