National Assembly approves Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Agency Bill 2025 |12 December 2025

The National Assembly yesterday approved another bill, presented by Vice-President Sebastian Pillay. Following a vote on the third reading of the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Agency Bill 2025, 18 members voted in favour, while 13 chose to abstain.

In presenting the bill, Vice-President Pillay explained that the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Agency had previously existed in another form, known as the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (Apdar). At that time, Apdar operated under a legal structure that had been formally established and had accomplished significant work through this framework, including the creation of various divisions, operational methods, and plans necessary for its mandate.

“Apdar had achieved a high level of effectiveness, carrying out programmes that addressed not only prevention but also rehabilitation. However, in 2020, subject to policy changes by the former government, Apdar was dissolved as an agency and integrated into the Ministry of Health under the Division for Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation (DSAPTR),” he explained.

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