United Efforts Needed to Combat Drug Addiction
Speakers at a programme said that united movement of family and society can be the crucial means of freeing society from addiction of drugs along with its illicit trafficking and trade. The said families must play the biggest role in preventing drug addiction. Guardians need to keep a sharp eye on their children’s activities, friends, and behavioral changes. Administrative officials and other stakeholders made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “The Harmful Effects of Drug Addiction and What Must Be Done to Prevent It” held today in the conference room of the Rajshahi District Commissioner’s office.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Shahidul Islam presided over the seminar, saying that to eradicate drugs, “we cannot rely solely on state laws or any single agency.” Addressing parents, the DC said fathers and mothers must be aware of where their children are going, who they are associating with, and why they are behaving abnormally.
He especially advised parents to monitor their children’s smartphone usage — when and why they use it — and to spend more time with them. Highlighting the role of educational institutions, he said every school and college must form anti-drug committees and ensure regular counseling and awareness sessions. He also stressed actively involving religious leaders, especially mosque imams, in this movement. Also present at the seminar were Md. Mehedi Hasan, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control; Dr. S.I.M. Raziul Karim, Civil Surgeon; Belayet Hossain, Additional District Commissioner; and Sabina Yasmin, Additional Superintendent of Police. Officials and staff from various government and non-government offices, as well as media personnel, attended the event.
