Youth Training Program Series in Mahaweli Areas in Sri Lanka - 2025.
National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) is the pioneer government institution, which discharges its functions with an aim to control (Demand Reduction) the drug menace from Sri Lanka. In 1984, parliament enacted the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No. 11 of 1984 and the board came into operation on 9th of April 1984.
The Prevention Education and Training Division is committed to fulfilling the responsibility of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse and mitigate the harm caused by drugs in accordance with the statutory law and international conventions of Sri Lanka.
The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka established in 1979 by an Act of Parliament. They are involving more than 40% of total land of Sri Lanka to innovative Agriculture productivity based on the latest technology supplementing the generation of renewable energy, best environment and tourism for the enrichment of the Sri Lankan community and their living standards.
In response to this national concern, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), in collaboration with the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, implemented a Youth-Based Drug Prevention Five-Day Training Series and Community Awareness Programs. These initiatives were designed to strengthen youth capacity to resist drug use, promote healthy life skills, and enhance community awareness on the harmful consequences of drug abuse and trafficking. The programs targeted youth leaders, community volunteers, and residents within selected Mahaweli zones, ensuring both individual and collective impact.
The five-day training series focused on providing participants with comprehensive knowledge on drug prevention, legal frameworks related to narcotic substances, psychosocial factors contributing to addiction, and practical prevention strategies. Emphasis was placed on life skills development, leadership, communication, peer education, and community mobilization. Interactive training methodologies such as group discussions, role plays, case studies, and participatory learning techniques were used to encourage active engagement and critical thinking among participants.
Complementing the training series, community awareness programs were conducted to disseminate key messages on drug prevention to the wider public. These programs aimed to create a supportive social environment by increasing awareness among parents, educators, and community members, while fostering collective responsibility in safeguarding youth from drug-related risks. The collaboration between the NDDCB and the Mahaweli Authority enabled effective outreach by integrating drug prevention efforts into existing community development frameworks.
This final report documents the objectives, implementation process, outcomes, challenges, and key lessons learned from the Youth-Based Drug Prevention Training Series and Community Awareness Programs. It seeks to highlight the significance of inter-institutional collaboration and youth participation in strengthening national drug prevention efforts, while providing recommendations for future interventions aimed at building resilient, drug-free communities in Sri Lanka. In 2025 Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka has organized ten (10) Youth-based Trainings and Evidence based Substance Abuse Prevention Program series in Mahaweli System areas targeting community organizations.
