Sunday Times 2
Blotter paper drugs: A silent threat to Sri Lanka’s youth
View(s):Colombo, Sri Lanka is facing a dangerous new front in the drug crisis as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) disguised in blotter papers quietly make their way into the country. It is warned that these colourful, stamp-sized papers often decorated with cartoon images or patterns are anything but harmless. Each sheet can be infused with powerful hallucinogenic chemicals that pose grave risks to health and life.
Health authorities caution that the danger lies in their deceptive appearance. Blotter papers can be hidden inside greeting cards, letters, or small parcels, making them almost impossible to detect without specialised checks. For young people, the attractive designs may appear playful or artistic, masking the reality that a single slip of paper could trigger hallucinations, panic attacks, seizures, or even sudden death.
Forensic scientists emphasise that NPS drugs are particularly risky because their chemical makeup constantly changes. Manufactured in secret labs, they often evade existing drug laws and standard detection methods. This means that users, often teenagers or young adults, experimenting out of curiosity have no idea what they are actually consuming. The results can be devastating, with unpredictable physical and psychological effects.
This is the correct time for calling on parents, teachers, and community leaders to stay vigilant. Open conversations with children about the dangers of “party drugs” and unfamiliar substances are seen as a critical line of defense. Schools are being urged to strengthen awareness programmes, while the public is encouraged to report suspicious packages or unusual behaviours linked to drug use.
Officials stress that while law enforcement continues to intercept shipments and tighten border controls, the real battle lies in prevention. “This is not just a policing issue, it is a public health emergency. If we fail to act now, we risk losing a generation to synthetic poisons that arrive in the guise of harmless paper.”
As Sri Lanka strengthens its fight against narcotics, the rise of blotter paper drugs stands as a stark reminder that the drug trade is evolving rapidly, and protecting the nation’s youth requires both vigilance and awareness.
K A D C Kodithuwakku
Deputy Government Analyst