President, PM for extensive campaign to end drug abuse, trafficking

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The International Day against drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking will be observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the world tomorrow with a call to launch a united social movement for an end to the menace, reports BSS. President M Abdul Hamid Advocate and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion. In a message on the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid said along with the execution of the stringent law, the drug addicts should be treated and rehabilitated as well as a social movement should be launched against drug abuse. "Then, observation of the day would be a total success," he said. The president said, "Abuse of drugs and trafficking is one of the serious problems in the world. No country irrespective of rich and poor is safe from the deadly claws of the problem." It has been learnt that the drug traffickers have been using Bangladesh as their transit so that all out efforts should be taken against them, he added. Abdul Hamid said, "We should be united irrespective of political affiliation, caste, creed and race against drug abuse to save our future generation." In her message, PM Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for proper execution of the related law against the spreading of drugs throughout the world including Bangladesh, creation of social awareness and expediting the anti-drug movement. "I urge the people of the society irrespective of their classes and professions including non-governmental organisations, teachers, imams of mosques and parents to come forward, along with the government, for a solution to the problem," she said. Sheikh Hasina said, "Abuse of drug is a multidimensional problem. Its damaging effect brings disaster for individuals and families and in national life." The PM said her government has initiated many programmes including stringent execution of the anti-drug law and its necessary amendments for protecting the country and its people from the disastrous problem.