Speaking at a discussion yesterday he said it is not possible for the government alone to control the menace of drug.

The discussion was organised by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the National Museum in the city.

Hinting at the government's tough stance against illicit drug traffickers and drug abusers, the law adviser said amendments were brought to Narcotics Control Act of British era in 1990.

The process is on to bring another amendment to the Act to ensure stringent action against the drug traffickers, he added.

He said drugs are also playing vital role in spreading serious diseases like HIV and AIDS.

Home Secretary Abdul Karim said special efforts needed to save the young generation from drugs.

He called for strengthening family bondage between children and their parents as family can play important role to restrain its member from becoming a drug addict.

DNC Director General Shamsul Islam and DNC Additional Director AKM Shahidur Rahman also participated in the discussion.

According to latest statistics available at the DNC, a total of 7355 cases were filed under the Narcotics Control Act in 2006 by the department, and 7821 people were arrested in this connection.

The number of cases filed in 2005 were 7197, and 8089 people were arrested.

The DNC statistics also shows that the department seized 16.28 kg heroin and 46,995 bottles of phensidyle in 2006, and in 2005 they recovered 20.17 kg of heroin and 73,785 bottles of phensidyle.

As of May this year, the DNC seized 3.93 kg heroin and 12,453 bottles of phensidyle.