Towards a Drug-Free Society in Sri Lanka

During the reporting period, Family Wellbeing Centre (FWC) continued implementation of the GlobalGiving-funded project aimed at improving the wellbeing of children and families through early prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use. The project applied a Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) approach to address root causes of substance use at the grassroots level.

FWC conducted awareness creation sessions on early prevention of ATOD use in selected villages, schools, and community institutions in Mannar, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura districts. As part of community mobilization efforts, ten children’s clubs were formed across five districts during this period. These clubs serve as safe spaces for children to learn, discuss, and act as peer educators within their communities.

A total of 127 children participated in structured awareness sessions. The sessions focused on understanding the harmful impacts of alcohol and tobacco use on health, family wellbeing, education, and child rights. Interactive discussions enabled children to share experiences and develop confidence to educate their peers and parents. Children also learned how alcohol and tobacco companies promote their products through social media, films, and cartoons, increasing their critical awareness of marketing tactics.

To reinforce key messages, educational stickers highlighting the daily number of deaths caused by alcohol and smoking were distributed and displayed in classrooms and public spaces. These visual tools supported wider community awareness beyond the sessions.

Overall, the project has strengthened children’s knowledge, leadership, and preventive skills, contributing to healthier family environments and laying the foundation for long-term reduction of ATOD use at the community level.