ZCZC
BSS-04
DRUGS-ABUSE-CONTROL (with picture)
Religious leaders’ role vital to prevent drugs’ abuses
RAJSJAHI, Jan 29, 2021 (BSS) – Speakers at a discussion viewed that the
proactive and responsible roles of the religious leaders are vital to prevent
abuses of narcotics, its illicit trades and trafficking to protect the young
generation from the grim grasp of drug.
The present government under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to freeing the country from drug abuse,
they said.
So, all quarters including the religious leaders should supplement the
government effort collectively, they added.
They came up with the observation while addressing a dialogue with
religious leaders association at the conference hall of Rajshahi divisional
office of Islamic Foundation (IF) on Thursday afternoon.
Light House Consortium and Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) jointly organized
the function in association with Ashakta Punarbashan Sangstha (APOSH) and
Nari O Shishu Kalyan Society (NSKS) under a project titled “Drug Abuse
Resistance and Understanding- DARAU”.
The four development organizations are jointly implementing the project in
eight wards of Rajshahi City Corporation and all nine upazilas of the
district and all six upazilas and four municipalities in Natore district
under the Promoting Advocacy and Rights (PAR) Project.
Counterpart International is extending technical support while USAID and
UKAID are providing financial support to the project.
A total of 24 religious leaders and trained imams joined the meeting and
they were sensitized on how to contribute to the cherished field.
IF Divisional Director Jalal Ahmed and Divisional Director of the
Department of Drugs Control Zafrullah Kajal addressed the meeting as chief
and special guests, while Light House Chief Executive Officer Harun-Or-Rashid
took part in the discussion virtually.
Assistant Director of IF Muzahidul Islam and DARAO Project Advocacy
Officer Umme Jannat also spoke on the occasion.
DARAO Project Manager SM Monwar Hossain presented a keynote paper
illustrating the aims and objectives of the project along with its
implementation strategy.
The meeting was told that more than one lakh people both male and female
have come forward and are working together to fight against drug abuse to
protect the young generation from its devastating effects in Rajshahi and
Natore districts.
To this end, various motivational and awareness programmes are being
conducted for their capacity building besides boosting their level of
confidence with intervention of the project.
In his remarks, Zafrullah Kazal said the present government has taken zero
tolerance strategy against drug-addiction and urged all quarters to come
forward to protect the young generation from the grip of social crime.
“We have to build a healthy society to achieve sustainable development
goals,” he said, adding the movement against drug abuse should be turned into
a social movement.
Harun-Or-Rashid told the meeting that cross-sections of people including
women, parents, school and out-of-school children, adolescents, youth,
transgender, public representatives and members of the civil society are
being engaged in the anti-drug abuse campaign.
He said the project is intended to benefit around four lakh people either
directly or indirectly.
BSS/AH/GMR/1230 hrs