Biomedical subjects

D C Jayasuriya

Publications and source records attributed to D C Jayasuriya.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

The drug abuse problem in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's experience in dealing with drugs of abuse and with the drug abuse problem is unique in many ways. From the sixteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, the colonial powers regulated the use of opium as a revenue earning measure. Since independence was achieved in 1948, various measures have been taken to scale down the abuse of opium, cannabis and certain pyschotropic substances, but not all these efforts have been successful. In the wake of ethnic problems, there has been an increase in the involvement of Sri Lankan nationals in smuggling drugs across national frontiers. The absence of a comprehensive national policy on drug abuse has been a major constraint on law enforcement and the development of interventions for education, treatment, rehabilitation and crop substitution. Sri Lanka is fortunate to have a rich tradition of networks of non-governmental organizations and religious institutions, and these can be mobilized to discourage the use of intoxicating drugs and alcohol.

Drug and Narcotic Control↗

PubMed1994

Review: scheduling drugs and national legal controls the need for research.

The system of scheduling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under national legislation does not always correspond to the system of scheduling under the international drug control treaties. Even though many drugs have been scheduled under the international drug control treaties, few studies have been done to identify what happens when drugs are scheduled at the national level. Preliminary studies seem to indicate that non-availability and higher prices are two problems which are associated with the scheduling process at the national level. Further research is needed to have a better understanding of the dynamics of the scheduling process and the impact of national controls.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

Towards a comprehensive national policy on drug abuse.

Drug abuse is complex in its causation and ramifications. No country has been able to respond successfully to the problems brought in the wake of drug abuse by having recourse to a single strategy. In 1987 the United Nations adopted a comprehensive multidisciplinary outline for future activities in drug abuse control. This provided, for the first time, a comprehensive framework within which countries can elaborate policies and programmes tailor-made to national situations. However, in order to facilitate the development and implementation of such policies and programmes it is essential that certain conditions exist: strong political will at national level; recognition of the need for an integrated policy; adequate legal framework and enforcement capability; coordinated response at international, national and local level; and recognition of drug abuse in planning changes in different sectors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Let pharmacists do more for health in developing countries.

It is desirable that the role of the pharmacist be expanded in developing countries, particularly with a view to coping with the problems of poor access to essential drugs and the irrational use of drugs. This objective requires improved collaboration between the medical and pharmacy professions.

Developing Countries↗

PubMed1991

Pharmaceuticals and developing countries: problems and prospects.

For many decades there was little consensus on the nature and type of pharmaceutical policies best suited for developing countries. In the aftermath of the Nairobi Conference on the Rational Use of Drugs and the formulation of criteria by expert groups convened by the World Health Organization a consensus has emerged on many aspects. Infrastructure development and the deployment of trained manpower are now perceived as two of the essential requisites for the implementation of national pharmaceutical policies. The article reviews selected problem areas in the pharmaceuticals sector and proposes strategies to overcome them.

Developing Countries↗

PubMed1991

The formulation and implementation of a national policy on condoms in the context of HIV/AIDS--a review.

The AIDS pandemic has brought into sharp focus the role of condoms in preventing the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. In the vast majority of countries, the condom prevalence rate is very low and to varying extents socio-cultural, infrastructure and logistics, quality control and incorrect usage problems have made it difficult to promote the use of condoms. It is only by developing a national policy on condoms that countries could mobilize within a short span of time all the resources to ensure that condoms are used by those who are at risk of contracting or transmitting HIV. The conditions necessary to develop such a policy and the elements of the policy are described.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1989