Sri Lanka — CCC Foundation's 1333 Crisis Support Line (CCCline) has partnered with the Dangerous Drugs Control Board (DDCB) to deliver specialised training for its crisis supporters, in direct response to a pattern identified through more than a decade of call data.
More Than a Decade of Insight
Operating for over ten years, the 1333 team continuously studies the nature of the calls it receives in order to identify where its crisis supporters need deeper knowledge and stronger tools. Through this ongoing review, the team identified a consistent and significant pattern: a regular stream of calls connected to drug and alcohol addiction — not only from individuals struggling with addiction themselves, but also from their parents, partners, spouses, and children seeking help on their behalf.
Recognising this as an area requiring specialised expertise, CCC Foundation reached out to the Dangerous Drugs Control Board (DDCB), Sri Lanka's national authority on drug control, to explore how the two organisations could work together to better serve these callers.
A Collaborative Response
The DDCB responded with full support, agreeing to provide dedicated training to equip 1333's crisis supporters with the knowledge needed to handle addiction-related calls with greater confidence and care.
The resulting training programme was delivered to 60 crisis supporters and covered:
A clear understanding of addiction as a condition, including its impact on individuals and families
An overview of the drugs currently most prevalent in Sri Lanka
How to support a caller who is struggling with addiction, or a family member calling on their behalf, within the boundaries of 1333's role as a crisis support line
The additional support pathways and services available through the DDCB, so callers can be guided toward further help beyond the call itself
A Successful and Informative Programme
The training was described as highly informative, giving 1333's crisis supporters practical knowledge they can apply directly in future calls. Importantly, the collaboration did not end with a single session — the DDCB has expressed its commitment to continuing this partnership with ongoing support for 1333's team.
Strong Support from DDCB Leadership
The programme was made possible through the full support of DDCB Director Mr. K.K.S. Kotalawala, along with Mr. Pradeep and Mr. Supun, who were present and engaged throughout the training. All three reaffirmed the DDCB's commitment to continuing this partnership with 1333 going forward.
Why This Partnership Matters
Strengthening crisis supporters' understanding of addiction helps CCC Foundation:
Respond more effectively to the real, evolving needs of 1333's callers
Support not just individuals struggling with addiction, but their families too
Connect callers with specialised resources through a trusted national body
Build long-term, sustainable partnerships that continue to benefit the community
About the 1333 Crisis Support Line
Established in 2009 at the National Institute of Mental Health, 1333 is a toll-free, tri-lingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) crisis support line, available 24/7 across Sri Lanka. All calls are handled confidentially and anonymously, offering everyone a safe space to talk.
About CCC Foundation: CCC Foundation is a registered charity organisation in Sri Lanka dedicated to mental well-being and suicide prevention, continuously developing its crisis support capacity in partnership with national institutions.
