The government, in the quest for a drug free state, intended to amend the Opium and Dangerous Drug Ordinance to prevent and control drug abuse in Sri Lanka, the Information Department said yesterday.

A news item published by the department yesterday said: "The World Anti-Drug Day falls on June 26, and, on the auspicious date, the proposals for new amendments will be presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa."

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, speaking on World Anti Drug Day arrangements, said with the end of the war, the Government has now taken initiatives to prevent and control drug abuse under the Mathata Titha Programme. "The Government cannot promote this programme without the support of its stakeholders or related agencies including the media and the public because the use of drugs affects the family unit and it ruins the entire social fabric," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister further said that if we are to combat this menace, we have to amend and introduce new laws and regulations. "And, such amendments calls for an integral part stipulated in the Mahinda Chinthana," Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said.

National Dangerous Drug Control Board Chairman, D.P Mendis P.C said reports released between January to June in 2007, revealed there was a remarkable decrease in heroin addicts during that period. He added that police arrests also declined by 15 percent. there is a 40 percent decline in cannabis users due to the increased number of raids, the spread and transport of cannabis have increased remarkably. The lack of technology and equipment to detect such cases by the Excise Department is the main cause," he said.