Current Perspectives on Substance Use Disorders in Sri Lanka: Public Mental Health Aspects

The use of substances is a widely spread public mental health problem in Sri Lanka. The pattern and the substances used in the country are changing rapidly in keeping with the global and regional trends. Although there are strong law enforcement systems in place in Sri Lanka, implementation of those is subjected to numerous challenges. Despite the poor funding and resource allocation, there are several positive components to the preventive, curative, and rehabilitation interventions, and valuable lessons can be learnt by studying the collective efforts against substance use and related disorders in Sri Lanka.