Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says a nationwide network is being created to combat drug trafficking and addiction.

According to the Minister, 14,019 Public Security Committees have already been established across all Grama Niladhari Divisions, with the aim of building a strong community-based system to weaken drug networks.

He also noted that the Ministry of Education has been instructed to set up Drug Prevention Committees in every school and education office.

In addition, more than 1,300 non-governmental organizations registered under the NGO Secretariat have been informed to establish similar committees within their institutions, while religious leaders and village-level organizations are also expected to support the initiative.

The Minister further said the government is shifting its focus from imprisoning drug addicts to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

He pointed out that around 70 percent of prison inmates are drug addicts, contributing to severe overcrowding in prisons, which currently hold more than 37,000 inmates.

As a solution, the government plans to establish rehabilitation centers in every district, with funds already allocated for the initiative.

The Dangerous Drugs Control Board has also trained 250 counselors to assess individuals struggling with addiction and recommend appropriate rehabilitation methods.

Depending on the level of addiction, individuals may undergo short-term rehabilitation, extended treatment programs, institutional rehabilitation, home-based recovery, or medical treatment in designated hospitals.

The Minister emphasized that the program aims to reduce the demand for drugs while authorities continue efforts to disrupt the supply network.