Although university students cannot be dealt with in the same manner as schoolchildren as they are adults, universities have been instructed to take all possible measures to curb drug use among students, Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said.

He said that while the Government is already paying attention to drug use among both school and university students, universities require a different approach as their students are adults and must take responsibility for staying away from narcotics.

“Universities are a different context. The students there are adults, so we can’t deal with them in the same way as school students. They themselves have to stay away from activities such as drug use. However, we have paid attention to this issue and have given the necessary instructions and approval to universities to take all possible measures,” Kaluwewa said.

He also said that university students involved in drug-related offences would face the law in the same manner as any other person accused of such offences.

The comments come amid growing attention to drug use among university students and young people.

Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Psychiatry Department at Rajarata University, Amila Isuru, recently said that a considerable number of university students use or are addicted to narcotic substances.

He said that around 70% to 80% of male students who drop out of universities are reportedly found to be addicted to some form of narcotic substance.