Minister of Industries Sunil Handunnetti yesterday (7) said that ending the drug epidemic remains the Government’s foremost priority.

He urged citizens to take an active role in resisting narcotics at the community level.

The minister stressed that the fight against drugs must begin at the grassroots.

He called on the public to expose traffickers, regardless of their social or political influence.

Criticising past leaders, Handunnetti alleged that politicians had once protected drug lords.

He emphasised that citizens should report suspicious activity related to narcotics, even anonymously, rather than waiting for law enforcement to act.