The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of six short-term treatment and rehabilitation centres for people dependent on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the government said on Wednesday.
The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Public Security and cleared at this week’s Cabinet meeting. The new facilities will operate under the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) — the statutory authority that runs the country’s existing drug treatment network and coordinates the national anti-narcotics strategy.
No Cabinet memorandum has been released naming the sites or the capital budget for the six centres. The term “short-term” indicates the facilities will focus on stabilisation and early-stage recovery rather than long-term residential treatment.
The approval comes amid a sustained police-led anti-narcotics drive. Recent operations have included the 520 arrests in an islandwide Avurudu sweep, a seizure of 1,400 kg of heroin and 1,975 kg of crystal methamphetamine, and multiple court-ordered rehabilitation referrals. Treatment capacity has been flagged as a bottleneck by magistrates diverting offenders away from remand custody.
Further details on the locations, scheduled opening dates and staffing plans for the six centres are expected from the NDDCB in the coming weeks.
