International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking tomorrow

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking tomorrow

DHAKA, June 25, 2024 (BSS) – The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will be observed tomorrow in the country and around the world with a commitment to resist drug abuse to build a drug-free Bangladesh .

The theme of the day is “The evidence is clear: investing in prevention”.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered separate messages on the occasion, calling on all concerned to work alongside the government to save the country from drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

In his message, the President said the current government had adopted a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and its illicit trafficking and urged all concerned to join hands with the government to save the youth from the drug abuse.

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a global problem, he said, adding that although it is not a drug-producing country, Bangladesh is at risk of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. drugs due to its geological position. The availability of different types of drugs and illicit trafficking poses a threat to the younger generation, he said, emphasizing on raising awareness among the youth community about the harmful consequences of drugs.

The President also insisted on the need to take measures to ensure the treatment of drug addicts and their adequate rehabilitation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had banned alcohol, gambling and horse racing through a government order dated January 15, 1972 and following the he imprint of Bangabandhu, the Awami League government launched many programs to protect the country and its people from drug abuse and trafficking.

The government has modernized the Narcotics Control Department through technology and enacted the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2020 amending the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, she said, adding that the government maintained a zero tolerance policy towards drug addicts, traffickers and clients. .

“We are implementing various activities to protect young people from drug addiction. The modernization of the Central Drug Treatment Center in Dhaka is progressing and at the same time the government is constructing 200-bed drug treatment centers in seven headquarters in division,” she added.

In line with the election platform, she said the government was donating to non-governmental drug treatment centers in the country.

The Prime Minister hoped that the young generation would be able to achieve the goal of SDGs declared by the UN by 2030 and build a smart, prosperous and developed, drug-free Bangladesh by 2041, through the use of its merits and innovative talents.

She urged everyone to work alongside the government to prevent drug abuse and build a golden Bangladesh, as dreamed of by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.