Youth Conference Planned Under “Whole Nation Together” National Anti-Drug Initiative

In line with the national programme titled “Whole Nation Together” aimed at eradicating the drug menace from the country, plans have been made to organize a Youth Conference against narcotics.

A preliminary discussion regarding the arrangements for the conference was held on Thursday (21) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The conference is being organized with the objective of protecting the younger generation from drug abuse and uniting youth at the grassroots level to express opposition against drug traffickers and the spread of narcotics.

The event is scheduled to be held on June 26 in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It is being jointly organized by the National Youth Services Council and the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.

Research reports have indicated that drug abuse has caused severe social, economic, and health-related consequences among the country’s younger population, particularly affecting youth between the ages of 20 and 35.

Authorities have pointed out that the situation has had a serious impact on the productivity of the country’s workforce. As a result, the government has launched the “Whole Nation Together” national initiative as a key programme to eliminate the drug threat from society and rehabilitate affected youth.

During the discussion, extensive attention was given to the proposed plans and initial organizational activities related to the Youth Conference against narcotics.

Among those who attended the meeting were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Aruna Bandara, Senior Media Adviser to the President Chandana Sooriyabandara, Director General of Government Information Harsha Bandara, Chairman of the National Youth Services Council Supun Wijerathna, along with heads of relevant institutions and senior officials from the tri-forces and the Police.