BSS-05 29000 academic bodies work to mobilize anti-narcotics public opinion

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ZCZC

BSS-05

DNC-CAMPAIGN-SCHOOLS (CORRECTED)

29000 academic bodies work to mobilize anti-narcotics public opinion

(Repeating to all with correction in second para, third para and seventh
para — Pl. read “June 3” instead of “June 24”)

DHAKA, June 21, 2018 (BSS) – As many as 29,000 anti-narcotic committees in
various educational institutions up to degree level have been working to drum
up public opinion against drugs aimed at mainly saving the new generation
from abuse of narcotics.

The sincere effort has assumed a further pace since June 3 last as the
Department of Narcotic Control (DNC) initiated a nationwide anti-narcotic
campaign to support the ongoing massive crackdown on people involved in drug
related offences as part of the government’s “zero tolerance policy” against
drugs.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has inaugurated the campaign as the chief
guest from a programme held at Sidheswari campus of Stamford University on
June 3.

The DNC has initiated the move with a view to gearing up a movement
involving all the stakeholders of the society with the belief that it would
not be possible to free the nation from drug abuse only through conducting
crackdowns on drug peddlers and their patrons.

As part of the intensified anti-narcotic campaign, the DNC has started
distributing 40,000 festoons inscribed with various slogans and adverse
impacts of taking drugs among the educational institutions, said a DNC
official.

Besides, the anti-narcotics committees in educational institutes have set
for holding various awareness programmes such as holding meetings, seminars
and bringing out colourful processions against drugs upon completion of
summer and Eid vacations, he also said.

“We have started the nationwide awareness campaign involving the
educational institutions on June 3 to make the new generation aware about the
harmful impact of taking drugs mainly to keep them away from drugs,” DNC
Director General (DG) Mohammod Jamal Uddin Ahmed told BSS earlier.

The DNC chief said that they are trying to involve all the social powers in
the awareness campaign aimed at waging a vibrant social movement against the
abuse of narcotics.

“Anti-narcotic committees in schools, colleges and madrasas up to the
degree level have been entrusted with conducting the campaign across the
country. It will help reduce the demand of drugs among students manifold,” he
added.

“Only drives against narcotic could not stop the social menace until and
unless a social movement is raised against it, so the drives and awareness
campaigns will be continued,” he opined.

“As part of the campaign, the DNC has started distributing 40,000 festoons
inscribed with the adverse impacts of taking drugs, among the schools,
colleges and madrasas,” DNC Deputy Director (preventive education) Rabiul
Islam said.

He also said that over 29000 anti-narcotic committees formed at different
educational institutions by DNC will mainly carry out the campaign across the
country.

Another Deputy Director (Dhaka metro) of DNC Mukul Jyoti Chakma said that
they have already sent letters to educational institutions through the
Education Ministry to take appropriate measures in conducting the anti-
narcotic awareness campaign.

He said that they also requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to
conduct such campaigns at educational institutions under it.

In Dhaka metropolis, 193 anti-narcotic committees will carry out the
campaign, he added.

The government took the move in 2009 with forming 5,779 committees first
when the students were getting increasingly inclined towards taking drugs and
other narcotic substances.

The five-member committee is headed by chief of the concerned institution
with its physical or religious teacher as the member secretary. Three other
members of the committees comprise a teachers’ representative, a guardian,
and a student.

BSS/SPL-AHJ/AKM/1155hrs