Public awareness must for preventing drug abuse

The government cannot win the war against drugs unless the people become aware of its grave consequences, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday.

The law is very tough and it is being implemented but the government is having a hard time containing drug abuse, the minister said at a press conference held at hotel Sonargaon in the capital on the occasion of release of an anti-drug awareness movie.

The film titled "Swarga Theke Narak" (from heaven to hell) was produced by anti-drug campaigner MANAS and directed by its Founding Chairman Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury.

Arup said about 70 lakh people of the country are addicted to drugs whereas over 80 percent of them are young people, some of them are even children, and half of the addicted youths are involved in some sort of criminal activities.

Information Secretary Mortuza Ahmed said he would make arrangements so that the film is screened in all theatres across the country and urged electronic media houses to broadcast the film as a part of their corporate social responsibility.

About today's Victory Day celebrations, Asaduzzaman said law enforcers and the intelligence departments are "very alert" about ensuring safety and security.