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More people injecting drugs worldwide, says UN
More people are injecting illegal drugs than previously thought, says a United Nations report on worldwide drug use.
In all, 13.2 million people injected drugs in 2021, 18% more than previously estimated, said the Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Synthetic substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine now dominate the illegal drug markets, the UN says.
Globally, drug users increased by 23% and drug-related disorders were up by 45% in a decade to nearly 40 million. People with mental health disorders, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and young people were most vulnerable, the report said.
Eastern Europe and North America were found to have a higher prevalence of people injecting drugs than in East and South-East Asia. Fentanyl has altered the opioid market in North America with deadly consequences, the report found.
On the basis of data from 18 countries, it said men were five times more likely than women to inject drugs and introduce their female partners to the habit. Still, only one in five people can access treatment, says the UN, with women in particular facing barriers.
The reasons are many and intertwined: Covid-19, but also fear of legal sanctions, social stigma, lack of childcare and fear of losing custody of their children.
Ghada Waly, head of the UNODC, said that in many instances, treatment was failing those who need it. “We need to step up responses against drug-trafficking rings that are exploiting conflicts and global crises to expand illicit drug cultivation and production, especially of synthetic drugs, fuelling illicit markets and causing greater harm to people and communities,” Waly said.
(BBC)
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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup (50 Over).
The team will depart for the United Arab Emirates today [0 December 2025] and has been placed in Group B, alongside Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Showers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces
Regulatory rollback tailored for “politically backed megaprojects”— Environmentalists
UK pledges £1 mn in aid for Ditwah victims
WFP scales up its emergency response in Sri Lanka
Opposition Leader discusses with Russian Ambassador more emergency relief
Heavy rainfall forecast for some places in Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces today
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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