Uphold by these evidence based sources, Preventive Education and Training Unit has identified the timely necessity of creative educational programmes targeting school students, adolescents, university students, government, non- government and private sector employees. All preventive activities are conducted by a professionally qualified and trained staff using curriculum based education theories and interactive social learning methods which contributes to enhance effective drug education and awareness in the society.
School based prevention
PET Unit conducts drug prevention programmes for school students all over the country with the aim of reducing the risks of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse by addressing the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviours. Programme provides students with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.
To achieve successful outcomes in drug prevention, it is proved that a considerable attention needed to be paid for school students to enhance personal and social competence related to preventing drug abuse. School teachers can effectively involve in these process.
Having understood above necessity, PET Unit has designed a training programme series with the aim of providing school teachers with skill-based, theoretical and practical knowledge of drug prevention.
Youth based prevention
Vocational Training Authority plans and conducts a number of training courses Island wide to provide necessary education up to graduate level. One of the major target groups of PET Unit is these students in tertiary educational institutes because these students have been identified to be a vulnerable group for abusing drugs. PET Unit conducted a series of drug awareness programmes to develop their knowledge and skills which encourage a drug free life.
PET Unit has designed a skills-based programme to promote positive health and personal development for University students. This programme helps university students navigate the challenges of the University and prepares them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults. This programme for university students uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve competency in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use.
Evidences show that youth is a powerful force in drug prevention in the world. They have an outstanding understanding of youth more than majority of scientific researches. This makes them easy to reach their peers with positive drug prevention messages without stigmatizing. Considering these factors, a series of training of trainers workshop for selected youth leaders were conducted by PET Unit. These trained youth leaders have been conducting drug prevention campaigns in their areas under the supervision of PET Unit.
Family based prevention
Effective prevention programme should be able to addresses the vulnerabilities that put children and young people at risk of starting to use drugs or other risky behaviours. Families can be one of the strongest protective factors in the lives of children and early adolescence. Poor parenting, family dysfunction, neglect and abuse are some of the strongest risk factors associated with a range of risky behaviours, including substance abuse. PET unit conducts family skill development programs and educational programs to prevent drug use in families
Larger workplace based prevention
Workers employed in larger work places has been identified to be a high risk group for substance abuse as a result of tiring nature of the work, lack of time spend with their family members and closers, problems in time management and lack of positive relationships. Stress caused by above factors lead people to substance abuse. To address above issue effectively PET Unit conducted a considerable number of drug awareness programmes in larger work place island wide.
Government sector plays a vital role in country with the power of access to whole country with their administrative system. Intending using this power of accessibility to drug prevention and to increase the productivity of government officer’s, PET Unit has conducted number of awareness and training programmes for grama niladhari, samurdhi niladhari, development officers, and other field officers who employed in government sector Island wide.
It is identified that both supply reduction and demand reduction approaches are necessary to attain effective results in drug prevention. Law enforcement of emerging psychotropic substances and current trends in drug trafficking are essential in developing the efficiency of their service. To address these issues in law enforcement sector, PET Unit launched a programme series for three forces, Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Custom and other law enforcement officials.
Community Programmes
PET Unit conducts drug prevention programmes for community with the aim of reducing demand for substances. Researches prove that providing drug education for grass root level community generates effective outcomes in successfully managing substance related issues. It is notable that people live in community have more influence on substance users and also they are power enough to change their attitudes as they have a good understanding of their own members.
Major objective of community programme is to reduce environmental factors and social influence that leads people to experiment and use substances. Additionally, it is intended to empower community members to avoid their closers from substance related issues and to encourage healthy lifestyle.
Exhibitions
Drug Prevention Exhibitions are a cost and time effective way of conveying a message to a larger group. In these exhibitions; posters, banners, and leaflets containing drug prevention messages and information were distributed among public.
Preventive Coordinators
| Name of the officer | Designation | Location | Mobile Number | E mail address | |
| 01 | Mr. Pradeep Koholanegedara | AD | Head Office | 071 4539835 | pradeep@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 02 | Ms. Priyadarshani Rathnayake | EIO | Head Office | 071 5667669 | priyadarshanir@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 04 | Mr. Chamara Pradeep | EIO | Head Office | 071 4847243 | chamara@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 05 | Ms.J.A.D Chandima Jayakody | EIO | Head Office | 071 8184343 | Chandima@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 06 | Mr. H.M Ranasinghe | EIO | Head Office | 071 8544442 | hmranasinghe@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 07 | Ms. Inusha Hettiarachchi | EIO | Puttalam District | 071 9273243 | inushahetti@gmail.com |
| 08 | Ms. Sewwandi Jayakodi | EIO | Kurunagala District | 076 7448836 | sewwandi@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 09 | Ms.Thilini Weerasekara | AEIO | Rathnapura District | 071 8549291 | Thiliniweerasekara07@gmail.com |
| 10 | Ms. Harshani Ariyarathne | AEIO | Gampaha District | 075 8288719 | harshaniariyarathne@gmail.com |
| 11 | Ms. Chamalee Jeewanthi | AEIO | Kalutara District | 075 8282541 | chamalee@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 13 | Ms. Isurika Nadeeshani | AEIO | Galle District | 071 6970229 | Nadeeshanirathnayake1@gmail.com |
| 14 | Ms. K.H. Maheshi Madushani | AEIO | Colombo District | 071 8549283 | maheshi.sheram@gmail.com |
| 15 | Mr. Rashad | AEIO | Ampara District | 076 7191119 | mmgbmrashad@gmail.com |
| 16 | Ms. Dilhara Waragoda | AEIO | Gampaha District | dilhara@nddcb.gov.lk | |
| 17 | Ms. Priyanthi Hewage | AEIO | – | – | – |
| 18 | Mr. W.G.S Udana | DEIA | Head Office | 071 8555854 | supunu@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 19 | Ms. Sahangee Alwis | DEIA | Galle District | 077 4736090 | Sahangee.alwis@gmail.com |
| 20 | Ms. L.A.C Wijerathna Yapa | DEIA | Matara District | 071 2187620 | Lindaanupama1984@gmail.com |
| 21 | Ms. Surangi Nawalahewage | DEIA | Hambanthota District | 071 9069706 | suranginawalahewage@gmail.com |
| 22 | Ms. Dulshani Tharaka | DEIA | Colombo District | 071 4539844 | dulshanim@nddcb.gov.lk |
| 23 | Ms. W.M Trishnika Wijekoon | DEIA | Kandy District | 070 2027875 | trishniyw@gmail.com |
