Drug addicts will not be arrested and imprisoned: Minister

Claiming that the government was not expecting to arrest and imprison drug addicts, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday urged parents and guardians of drug addicts to intervene to send them for rehabilitation voluntarily.

- ByAJITH SIRIWARDANA

The Minister said this at the meeting of the Kalutara District Steering Committee under ‘A Nation United’ anti-drug campaign.

He said drug rehabilitation should take place voluntarily as drug addicts are individuals who require treatment.

“Drug addicts are not distributors or drug smugglers. They must be rescued from their addiction,” he said.