Integrated social movement must be built to eradicate drugs: Mir Helal

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin today (22 August) called for an integrated social movement involving people from all sections of society to eradicate drug abuse and its related crimes.

"Drugs are significantly linked to most social crimes and violent incidents in Bangladesh. They are also a major factor behind the rise of juvenile gangs," he said, urging collective efforts to protect young people from drug addiction.

Mir Helal made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest an anti-drug rally organized by the district police at the Civic Center of Chattogram District Police Lines this afternoon.

The state minister said law enforcement agencies have an important role in combating drugs, but people from all walks of life must also come forward to build social resistance against drug traffickers, dealers and users.

"If we continue blaming one another, it will become increasingly difficult to implement the essential zero-tolerance policy against drugs," he said.

He said the government has taken various initiatives to keep youths and adolescents away from drugs, alongside education, by encouraging sports, cultural activities and other extracurricular programmes.

"Our goal is to rescue the youth and adolescent community from the shadows of drug addiction," Helal said.

He also said the existing prison system does not have a separate arrangement for people accused of drug-related offences. However, steps are being taken to establish a separate system for such inmates at the new prison planned in Salimpur jungle of Sitakunda, aiming to prevent the spread of drugs among other prisoners.

Chattogram Range DIG Abdul Quddus Chowdhury addressed the rally as the main speaker, while Chattogram District Police Superintendent Masud Alam chaired the programme.

Following the rally, an anti-drug demonstration was held in the city.