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Thursday, 18 February 2021 03:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Asiri Fernando
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Public Security Minister Admiral Sarath Weerasekera
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The Government plans to treat those who abuse narcotics as addicts, not criminals, Public Security Minister Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference at the Ministry, Weerasekara said addicts needed to be treated as victims that need rehabilitation, adding that in the future the Police will move to direct drug abusers to rehabilitation centres where they can be treated and not seek to prosecute them in court. Further, measures will be taken to enhance education about the risks of narcotic use and these will be implemented in the near future, Weerasekara said.
“Drug addicts are likely to be repeat offenders unless they are treated. If you jail them, they will get back to crime as soon as they are released and end up back in jail,” Minister Weerasekara said.
According to Minister Weerasekara nearly 11,000 out of the 31,000-prison population in 2020 were drug addicts. Longstanding issues regarding prisons overcrowding returned to the spotlight last year during the Mahara prison riot over the quality of food, overcrowding and access to medication that led to the deaths of 11 inmates and saw over a 100 injured.
However, the law enforcement agencies will double down on drug traffickers and those who run distribution networks, he said, adding that the narcotic problem was a key security concern for the Government. The Minister urged the public to report information or give tips regarding narcotic trafficking and distribution on the 1997 hotline.
“The narcotic problem mainly affects our youth. The youth is our future and we cannot allow them to be destroyed.”
Minister Weerasekara stated that the Government was willing to consider the possibility of light penalties for those engaged in organised crime who surrender to the Police and hand over their weapons. “A few organised criminal groups with a few small arms will not be allowed to run riot in a country that defeated one of the most ruthless and well organised terrorist groups,” he warned.
The Minister called on the public to report any extortion attempts, child abuse and gender-based violence on the 118 hotline. Weerasekara pointed out that blackmailing of women and children through the use of nude photographs is on the rise and urged women to use the 118 Police hotline to report such crimes and said that the identity of the victims will not be exposed. Weerasekara said that crimes against women, especially sexual abuse and rape will be investigated thoroughly by the Police.
The Police Department which has 490 Police stations islandwide is handicapped by a lack of vehicles to perform their duties, the Minister said, adding that the Ministry was in discussion with the Treasury to provide new vehicles and equipment to improve Police response to crime and promote crime prevention.
