Anti-drug day observed
Drug trading is causing laundering of a few thousand crores of Taka every year, hurting the country's economy, said Home Minister Shahara Khatun yesterday.
Mugging, extortion and terrorist activities are increasing in the country due to drug addiction and it is worsening the state of public health, she said.
She was speaking at a discussion organised by the Narcotic Control Department at Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking yesterday.
This year the day was observed in the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme “Global action for healthy communities without drugs.”
Shahara urged all to work together for resolving the problem as the government alone cannot do it.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said a new anti-drug act is going to be enacted soon.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad and Home Ministry Senior Secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed also addressed the event with Narcotic Control Department Director General Khandakar Mohammad Ali was in the chair.
Soudamini Sharma of Moulvibazar and late journalist Jamal Uddin of Jessore were rewarded at the programme for their role in anti-drug campaigns.
Earlier, Narcotic Control Department and home ministry jointly organised a human chain programme in front of Jatiya Press Club, following which the participants brought out a colourful procession led by Shahara Khatun.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police also held a rally in the city that was addressed by IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandaker.
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