Under the Shiksha School Based Drug Prevention National Program 2021, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) organized an all-island art and essay writing competition to raise awareness on substance abuse. Out of 1000 school children who submitted artwork and 500 students who participated in the writing component of the competition, 9 talented winners were awarded book vouchers, that were sponsored through a partnership with John Keells Foundation under its Substance Abuse Prevention Project.

The award ceremony for the students was held on 17th December 2021 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute under the patronage of the Honorable Secretary of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne. The event was graced by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education Mr. H U Pemathilaka, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of State Security and Disaster Management, Ms. Kashuni Liyanage, Senior Police Authority Ms. Samantha Wijesekara , President of Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Ms. Champika Amarasekara, Representatives from United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Dr. Priyangie Amarabandu and Head of Operations of John Keells Foundation, Ms. Carmeline Jayasuriya.