In general terms, Precursor chemicals are defined as the compounds required in synthetic or extraction processes of drug production, and incorporated into drug molecules. Because many legitimate precursor chemicals are also necessary in the processing and synthesis of most illicitly produced drugs such as cocaine and heroin, preventing the diversion of these chemicals from legitimate commerce to illicit drug manufacturing is identified as a major duty of any responsible government. Often the governments place restrictions on the purchase of large quantities of chemicals that can be used in the production of illicit drugs. Since numerous chemicals listed as illicit drug precursors are manufactured throughout the globe, International cooperation in conjunction with a comprehensive chemical control strategy is essential for chemical control policies to succeed.
In the Sri Lankan context, Precursor chemicals are widely used in the manufacture of a variety of daily necessacities such as Chemicals, Paints, Dyes, Perfumes, Cosmetics, Medicine and Explosives apart from their utilization in the manufacturing process of industry based products such as Plastic, Rubber and even in Agriculture.
It has been identified that these precursor chemicals which make an immense contribution towards the economic development is being utilized illegitimately for the production of illicit drugs and this trend appears to be developing at an alarming rate throughout the country and the world as well. Consequently the present government has taken measures to establish an Authority of this sort with the intention of preventing and restricting such illicit activities..
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Duties of the Precursor Control Authority |
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The duties of the Authority are cited in the *Section 19 of the Act No .1 of 2008 and are primarily as follows. |
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Monitoring to ensure proper transport, distribution, storage, safeguarding and usage of aforementioned chemicals and supervision of the premises where such activities are carried out. |
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Registration and issue of licenses for the individuals / institutions and premises where foregoing activities are carried out upon proper supervision. |