A new task force will be appointed to combat the drug menace, says justice minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakshe.
The aim is to curb the smuggling, distribution, sale and use of drugs, he told a meeting on September 30 to discuss steps to prevent youths from drug addiction.
A national policy in that direction and the rehabilitation of drug offenders too, came under discussion.
The justice minister warned about a grave impact on society from drug addiction within the next few years, if most addicts, who are in the 20 to 30 year age group, are not rehabilitated.
Public security minister Tiran Alles, state minister Anuradha Jayaratne, attorney general Sanjaya Rajaratnam and top officials of several state agencies participated in the discussion.
