Rehabilitation, not incarceration: Natore court sets rare example by offering drug users another chance

A court in Natore today released 10 drug users on eight conditions instead of sentencing them to jail.

The court ordered the 10 to participate in anti-drug campaigns and to involve themselves in voluntary services in hospitals in an attempt to reintegrate them with society.

Natore Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Abu Sayeed released them today on eight conditions, reports our local correspondent quoting court sources.

As the accused had no previous crime records and they vowed not to use drugs in the future, the court released them even after the allegations against them were proved beyond doubt, said the sources.

Earlier on March 2 last year, police arrested the 10 youths for consuming marijuana in Balitita Islampur village under Lalpur police station.

The other conditions given by the court are to not use drugs in the future, to not procure and sell drugs, and to quit smoking, said the sources.