Launch social movement against drug abuse
Speakers at a seminar yesterday called on all to come forward to launch a social movement against drug abuse.
Mass social awareness should be created starting from the family level. Tobacco use is the first step that leads youngsters to using drugs and other harmful substances along with unsocial and criminal activities, they added.
The Life Sciences Department of North South University (NSU), the NSU Earth Club and Manash jointly organised the seminar on the NSU campus to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Speaking as the chief guest, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said urban areas lack playgrounds or such useful devices that may help youths use their times more constructively.
Many tend to resort to drug abuse and other unsocial activities due to the lack of any productive entertainment facilities, he added.
"Although there are laws, problem lies in their implementation," the minister said, adding that the educational institutions and other authorities should come forward and promote these laws within their institutes.
Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, president of Manash, an anti-smoking organisation, said the death toll from tobacco is higher than the toll from natural disasters, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
Tobacco products stimulates the same areas of the brain that are affected by drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, he said, quoting a report of the World Health Organisation.
Quoting a Manash study, he said 98 percent of drug addicts are avid smokers and 44 percent have been involved in criminal activities.
"A more precautious approach is required and family members, teachers or friends should come forward and identify whether a youngster is being exposed to drug substances. This way he can be brought back from the darkness before he sinks too deep in," he said.
Referring to an estimate of the World Bank, Dr Arup pointed out that around Tk 347 crore worth of drugs, including Phensidyl worth around Tk 220 crore, come from India every year.
The people in Bangladesh spend around Tk 800 crore on drugs and related products, he added.
NSU Vice Chancellor Dr Hafiz GA Siddiqi, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr SAM Khairul Bashar, Chairman of NSU Board of Governors MA Awal, and former chairman Benejir Ahmed also spoke.
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