The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has raised alarm over the escalating drug addiction crisis among youth in Sri Lanka, with an increasing number of young people misusing prescription medications as substitutes for illegal substances.
According to Specialist Dr. Indika Wanninayake, around 150 types of prescription drugs, including painkillers meant for cancer patients, are being misused by addicts. He also highlighted that drug abuse is no longer confined to adults, with a growing number of schoolchildren, particularly those aged 15 to 17, falling victim to addiction.
Authorities have arrested 162,000 individuals in 2024 for drug-related offenses. A 2019 survey estimated that Sri Lanka had between 92,000 and 100,000 drug addicts, while 350,000 people were addicted to heroin and another 350,000 to cannabis.
To address the crisis, the NDDCB is set to conduct a new nationwide survey on drug addiction later this year.
