Dope test to be mandatory for govt jobs: home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said dope test would be made compulsory for government jobs.

The decision has been approved on principle by the cabinet, he told media at the ministry, marking International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

“Action will be taken against government officials who are drug addicts. We’re introducing dope test for government job seekers,” he said. If drug is found in the blood sample of an aspirant, then the government “may cancel the application”, the minister said.

He said, “The prime minister has given her approval. The decision will now be implemented in phases.”

The minister also said Dhaka had talks with Nay Pyi Taw on preventing yaba and phensedyl smuggling, but the discussions have not been fruitful.

Talks with India have been productive, he said, claiming that the amount of smuggled phensedyl has come down by at least 59 percent.