Drug addicts to be punished via dope tests: Health minister

NARSINGDI, Feb 28 (UNB): Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul has said drug addicts will be identified through dope tests and sentenced to three months in jail as part of efforts to curb drug abuse.
He made the remarks while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with district-level officials at the Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner's Office on Saturday.
The minister said Narsingdi would be transformed into a district free from corruption, terrorism, extortion and drugs.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, I will work to implement the 31-point plan to turn Bangladesh into a modern state," he said.
Expressing gratitude to the voters for electing him, the minister sought cooperation from all to make Narsingdi and the entire country free from drugs, terrorism and extortion.
Emphasising the need for a corruption-free and humane social system, he said, "We will continue to fight corruption and terrorism shoulder to shoulder."
He also said law enforcement agencies are capable of performing their duties effectively. "There is no work that the police cannot do. If we MPs and ministers commit any wrongdoing, you DCs and SPs should complain to the Prime Minister against us," he added.
The minister further announced plans to establish a medical college and a university in Narsingdi.
Newly elected MP of Narsingdi-1 (Sadar) constituency and district BNP President Khairul Kabir Khokon, MP of Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur) constituency and district BNP General Secretary Manjur Elahi, and MP of Narsingdi-5 (Raipura) constituency Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, among others, spoke as special guests.