COLOMBO, Aug. 21 -- Between 70% and 80% of male university students who drop out do so because of drug addiction, a senior psychiatrist has said, warning that traffickers are increasingly targeting schoolchildren and undergraduates.

Professor Amila Isuru, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, made the remarks at a media briefing under the 'A Nation United' national anti-drug program, which focused on substance abuse among students and youth.

He said a considerable number of university students use or are addicted to narcotics, and accused traffickers of deliberately cultivating young users.

"Drug dealers are making an immense effort to get our children used to drugs," he said.

Citing research conduc...