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Run it down!
Creating awareness on the dangers of drugs, the SLANA run hits the roads once again
By Priyanwada Ranawaka and Renu Warnasuriya
On a lazy Sunday morning when most of Colombo was still lolling around in bed, a few concerned citizens took to the streets in an action-packed event. Along the route stood supporters well armed with buckets of water and soaked sponges, as the 700 participants of the SLANA Health Run passed their way.

Held for the 13th consecutive year, the run, organised by the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), was open to anyone willing to support this worthy cause. "The race is held with the objective of promoting good health, without narcotic drugs," SLANA Associate Director Lakmali Cabral said.

The run was organised under five categories: under-15, over-50, family, national and open class. Since there were no entries, the family category was not held this year. This year's youngest participant was just four years old, while the oldest was 79. Although there were fewer participants this year, the number of child participants had increased.

The proud mother of four-year-old Mohammed Zumar said: "He insisted on taking part this year, because his two brothers ran last year." She said the boy completed the seven-kilometre run and he did not feel tired. "He only wanted an ice cream."

She said she encouraged her children to take part in such events as it was important to learn the dangers of narcotics at a young age. First time competitor Elmo Alles, a 69-year-old birdwatcher, said it was a good experience to take part as he was against all kinds of narcotics.

The oldest participant, 79-year-old Sivalingam, confessed that he had little hope of winning. "The others were way ahead of me," he said, adding that he could not run the whole 14 km and went only half way, as it was too tiring for him.

Apart from regular joggers, the usually peaceful Galle Face Green was filled with families, supporters, organisers and onlookers. They danced and sang along to live music provided by popular musicians who extended their support for the event. The run ended at the Green, where the winners were given medals, certificates and prize money.

Everyone who finished the race was given a certificate. According to Ms. Cabral, this certificate is certainly something to hang on the wall to improve one's self-esteem.

Support also came from various groups and individuals. Among them were SLANA volunteers, Rotarians, Scouts, Guides, Special Task Force personnel and the City Traffic Police.

"It is nice to see people voluntarily getting involved in community activities," Ms. Cabral said adding that many companies helped them by putting up water stalls, providing sound and music, first aid etc. A few schools also joined in by sending students who manned 16 makeshift stalls along the track and threw water on any runner who looked like he needed some reviving.

"As much as we say that drugs are bad, there should be alternative ways introduced to people to lead a good life," said a SLANA member adding that these events created awareness while teaching people how to achieve the success they want. "There are so many ways to get high without taking drugs, like music, dancing and sports," he said stressing the importance of organising such events where the entire family could have an enjoyable time together.

As a sporting event, the run has attracted people from all over the island. Ariya Chandradasa and his wife K.G. Manike, who have been involved in sports for nearly 50 years, have been participating in the race since the very beginning. They had won the family race for five consecutive years and this year, Manike emerged runner-up in the Over-50 category. "We believe that we can do sports so well at our age because we stay away from drugs," says Manike.

Mr. Chandradasa, a life member of SLANA, said they both looked forward to the event every year. Police Narcotics Bureau Chief Pujith Jayasundara said the problems related to heroin and other hard drugs surfaced 30 years ago with the hippie invasion. Prior to that, cannabis was the only narcotic drug. "It was not a serious problem back then. But now we need to bring in tough legislation to fight the drug menace," SSP Jayasundara said.

Having no birth certificate to prove their age did not keep 12-year-old Subhani, 13-year-old Shanthi and their friends from taking part in the race. These kids from a home for the streetchildren in Dehiwala, were bubbling with excitement when they said, "We have never done anything like this before, and we want to come next year too."

Prevention and awareness being an essential part of its work, the PNB believes in working together with organisations like SLANA to stop drug addiction. With many new drugs coming into the market, SSP Jayasundara feels that people need to be made aware of them, too. "We need to explain the gravity of the problem to people and stress it is everyone's responsibility to end this menace," he said.

SLANA, established in 1988, holds the Health Run every year to mark the UN Anti-Narcotics Day. The Sri Lankan Government declared last week Anti Narcotics Week.

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