Saying no to drug peddling

Twenty-four drug peddlers of Ishwardi upazila surrendered to police yesterday with the promise of giving up the crime. 

Each of them stood accused in three to four cases, said Abu Obayed, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Ishwardi Police Station.

Continuous persuasion of the law enforcement agencies to quit drug peddling as well as regular drives motivated them to surrender to the police, he said.

The drug peddlers wanted to give up their illegal activities and contacted cops who then arranged a programme, Obayed added.

Family members and people always hated me because I was a drug peddler. Even I could not live with my family peacefully as I was on the run to avoid police harassment. All those made my life miserable, so I decided to give up drug peddling, one of the drug peddlers, Shamsul Islam, 50, of Majhdiar village of the upazila, told journalists yesterday before their surrender. 

Alamgir Kabir, superintendent of Pabna police, spoke at the programme as the chief guest. Officer-in-Charge (executive) of Ishwardi Police Station Biman Kumar Das chaired the programme held at the police station in the afternoon.

Praising the surrendered drug peddlers, the SP said their surrender would inspire other drug peddlers to return to normal life.

Only the drive of police could not control drug peddling. People should come forward to raise social awareness so that drug peddling could be controlled, Alamgir added.