“Drugs do not destroy only one person; they destroy a family, a society, and an entire generation—drugs make mothers cry.” With this strong warning, Md. Hasan Maruf, Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), cautioned the youth about the devastating grip of drugs.
He made these remarks on Thursday morning while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting and anti-drug program titled “The Role of Youth in Building a Drug-Free Bangladesh”, held at the premises of Namoshankarbati High School in Sadar Upazila of Chapainawabganj.
The program was organized by the Department of Narcotics Control, Chapainawabganj District Office, with Additional District Magistrate Md. Anisur Rahman presiding over the event.
The chief guest said that law enforcement alone is not enough to control drugs; society must come forward, and families and educational institutions must take responsibility. He stated that the Department of Narcotics Control, as the nodal agency, is working tirelessly day and night in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
Regarding strategic drug control, he explained that their activities are based on three pillars: demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction. He further mentioned that drug addiction among youths often begins with cigarette smoking, which is particularly prevalent among those aged 15 to 25 years.
Warning about drug testing, he said that anyone found with drugs in their system will be deprived of opportunities for university admission and government jobs. According to him, there is no alternative to education for building a healthy and talented nation.
Special guests at the discussion included Civil Surgeon Dr. A.K.M. Shahab Uddin, Professor Dr. Biplab Kumar Majumder, Principal of Nawabganj Government Women’s College, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md. Yasir Arafat, and Md. Aslam Kabir, Headmaster of Namoshankarbati High School. All of them called for strengthening a social movement against drugs.
The program was moderated by Golam Faruk Mithun, Principal of Balugram Adarsha College, while the welcome speech was delivered by Chowdhury Imrul Hasan, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control.
At the end of the program, anti-drug educational materials bearing awareness slogans were distributed among 15 meritorious students. The chief guest administered an anti-drug oath to the students and displayed a symbolic red card.
Later, a traditional Gambhira song of Chapainawabganj with anti-drug messages was performed. Teachers from various educational institutions, local dignitaries, media professionals, and more than 500 students attended the event.
Organizers said that such awareness programs will continue regularly to build a drug-free society.